There are different types of soil – each with distinct composition and appearance. The most important characteristic of topsoil is that it provides a suitable environment for plant growth.
Soil is the most important renewable natural resource. It is the medium of plant growth and supports different types of living organisms on the earth.
- It takes millions of years to form soil upto a few cms in depth. Various forces of nature such as change in temperature, actions of running water, wind and glaciers, activities of decomposers etc contribute to the formation of soil.
- Parent rock or bedrock, climate, vegetation and other forms of life and time are important factors in the formation of soil.
- Chemical and organic changes which take place in the soil play an important role.
- Soil also consists of organic (humus) and inorganic materials.
