ROLE OF PHYSICAL PROPERTIES IN SOIL FERTILITY

Importance of Texture: sandy soils have poor fertility and very little water-holding capacity so only few crops can be grown such as potato, groundnuts and cucumbers. Clay soils have high fertility and very high water-holding capacity. Rice, jute, sugarcane can be grown in this soil. Silt soils have medium fertility and water-holding capacity. They are suited to every kind of crop such as wheat, maize, pulses, oilseeds, potato, groundnut, vegetables, sugarcane, rice etc.

Importance of Structure:

 Platy structure normally hinders free drainage which results in water-logging. This structure is not good for cultivation. Whereas sphere-like temperature helps in drainage and provides optimum aeration, water-holding capacity etc. this structure is considered best for cultivation.

Importance of Density:

Soils with low bulk density have favorable physical conditions.

Importance of Porosity:

For ideal conditions of aeration, permeability and water-holding capacity, a soil should have about an equal amount of macro and micro pores.

Importance of Consistence:

 Optimum soil consistence increases the water-holding capacity and plant food material.  Thus, increasing the fertility of soil.

Importance of colour:

Soil colour has relation with temperature, organic matter, drainage and parent material.

Importance of Temperature:

1. Decomposition of organic matter

2. Absorption of soil water

3. Absorption of nutrients

4. Seed germination

5. Plant growth

6. Soil formation

7. Physical properties

8. Plant disease