Soil & Landscape

ESTHER KIRUBA 19171NB002

SOIL & LANDSCAPE

CONTENTS

Introduction Types of Soils Integrating soil into the Design Process Importance of Soil Soil Food Web Soil Reclamation Unsustainable Vs Sustainable Landscapes.

To grow healthy plants, one needs healthy soils. Whether natural or man-mixed, soils have physical, environmental, and chemical properties. These are all important to the health of a growing medium.

Physical properties include organic matter, water, drainage, and aeration. Environmental characteristics include light and temperature.

INTRODUCTION

Chemical elements include the pH balance, and the presence (or not) of phosphorous, nitrogen, and potassium, which are all critical elements for plants. https://dirt.asla.org/2013/11/16/what-makes-soils-healthy/

TYPES OF SOIL (BASED ON COMPOSITION)

Sand 0.02-5 mm It is most extensively used construction material. It consists of particles of rock and hard minerals, such as silicon dioxide.

Silt 0.002 - 0.06 mm.

Silt is a sediment material.

Carried by water during flood it forms a fertile deposit on valleys floor.

Clay 0.002 mm Clay particles are the finest.It consists of microscopic and submicroscopic particles.

SAND

The first type of soil is sand. It consists of small particles of weathered rock.

Sandy soils are one of the poorest types of soil for growing plants because it has very low nutrients and poor water holding capacity, which makes it hard for the plant’s roots to absorb water.

This type of soil is very good for the drainage system. Sandy soil is usually formed by the breakdown or fragmentation of rocks like granite, limestone and quartz.

https://byjus.com/biology/types-of-soil/

USE OF SAND IN LANDSCAPE

Between Pavers Special paver sand is often used to provide leveling beneath pavers and to fill spaces between pavers.

Concrete Sand can also be used for making certain types of concrete because of its coarseness.

This concrete in turn can be used to create walkways, outdoor seating areas, garden edging, steps, and so much more.

Play Area When incorporating a children’s play area into your landscaping, then play sand makes the perfect medium for play boxes and for under play equipment.

Outdoor Sports Play Area Play sand can also be used to provide a reliable, yet soft playing surface for outdoor sports like volleyball and beach ball. https://asphaltmaterials.net/5-common-uses-sand-landscaping/

SILT

Silt, which is known to have much smaller particles compared to sandy soil and is made up of rock and other mineral particles, which are smaller than sand and larger than clay.

It is the smooth and fine quality of the soil that holds water better than sand. Silt is easily transported by moving currents and it is mainly found near the river, lake and other water bodies.

The silt soil is more fertile compared to the other three types of soil. Therefore, it is also used in agricultural practices to improve soil fertility.

https://byjus.com/biology/types-of-soil/

USE OF SILT IN LANDSCAPE

Silty soil is usually more fertile than other types of soil, meaning it is good for Growing Crops.

Silt promotes Water Retention and Air Circulation.

Too much clay can make soil too stiff for plants to thrive.

In many parts of the world, agriculture has thrived in river deltas, where silt deposits are rich, and along the sides of rivers where annual floods replenish silt.

The Nile River Delta in Egypt is one example of an extremely Fertile area where farmers have been harvesting crops for thousands of years.

Because it is less dense than clay it offers better Drainage as well as improved air circulation around the roots.

However, because it is heavier and more cohesive than sand it is less likely to be eroded by the wind and better at retaining water. https://carolinaservicesinc.com/landscaping-soil-types-use/

CLAY

Clay is the smallest particle amongst the other two types of soil. The particles in this soil are tightly packed together with each other with very little or no airspace.

This soil has very good water storage qualities and makes it hard for moisture and air to penetrate into it. It is very sticky to the touch when wet, but smooth when dried.

Clay is the densest and heaviest type of soil which does not drain well or provide space for plant roots to flourish.

https://byjus.com/biology/types-of-soil/

USE OF CLAY IN LANDSCAPE

Clay soil is known for draining poorly and becoming tightly compacted, preventing oxygen and water from passing through.

Ironically, the cons of clay soil are also its pros, as it is able to Retain Water and nutrients better than sandy soils.

Because it can cling to water and fertilizer longer than other soils, it can reduce how often plants need to be watered or Fertilized.

If you choose to fight to improve the soil, samples should be taken from several locations of the area that you are working with and sent to an agricultural extension soil lab.

Improving the soil takes time, and whether you choose to use inorganic or organic materials to break up the clay particles, keep in mind that both involve an ongoing process. https://carolinaservicesinc.com/landscaping-soil-types-use/

INTEGRATING SOIL INTO THE DESIGN PROCESS The need for Sustainability Soil is critical to the success of sustainable gardens, and it provides important environmental benefits.

Using sustainable gardening practices can help us restore the benefits our soils provide.

The health of our soils can be restored, and even enhanced, through the implementation of sustainable gardening techniques. Nature can take more than 500 years to form just one inch of topsoil — even more reason to take care of this valuable resource.

Soil is the foundation of a sustainable garden.

It provides a variety of benefits, often without our knowing: Absorbs rainfall and mitigates flooding Removes pollutants and cleanses waterStores water for plants, wildlife and people Provides habitat for organisms such as microscopic bacteria and earthworms that transform wastes into nutrients for plants.

Stores atmospheric carbon Sustains plants, which provides food, fiber for clothing, timber, medicines and other goods

IMPORTANCE OF SOIL

Soil is critical to the success of sustainable gardens, and it provides important environmental benefits.

Using sustainable gardening practices can help us restore the benefits our soils provide.

Modern industrial society has left much of the Earth’s soil eroded, exhausted and polluted. Many unsustainable gardening practices, like applying too much fertilizer or compacting soil, have unwittingly contributed to the problem.

The health of our soils can be restored, and even enhanced, through the implementation of sustainable gardening techniques. Nature can take more than 500 years to form just one inch of topsoil — even more reason to take care of this valuable resource.

USING SOILS IN DIFFERENT CLIMATES A soil horizon is a layer generally parallel to the soil surface, whose physical characteristics differ from the layers above and beneath.

Each soil type usually has three or four horizons.

Horizons are defined in most cases by obvious physical features, chiefly colour and texture.

SOIL FOOD WEB The soil food web is the key to fertile soil.

Plants are the producers — they use the sun’s energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into plant material via photosynthesis.

The primary consumers or decomposers, mainly fungi and bacteria, digest fallen leaves and other organic matter.

SOIL FOOD WEB Secondary consumers, such as mites and protozoa, feed on the fungi and bacteria and release nutrients that can be absorbed directly by plants, while undigested remains become part of the soil’s organic matter.

Higher level consumers, such as earthworms and ants, feed on the secondary consumers. Their fecal pellets become part of the soil, as well, and they release nutrients that spur plant growth.

SOIL FOOD WEB Air, water and organic matter within the soil support soil organisms which aid in healthy plant growth, nutrient cycling, pollutant removal and improved soil structure.

The diversity and abundance of soil organisms is directly related to the organic matter content of the soil. Soil organisms require air and regular inputs of organic matter.

SUSTAINABLE

UNSUSTAINABLE

SOIL RECLAMATION

INDIAN SCENARIO

SOIL RECLAMATION why India needs it Cultivable land has marginally declined by almost 2 million hectare in 2 years, whereas during the same period, area under non-agricultural uses has increased by about 2.0 million hectare and such demands will be increased in the coming years.

Under these circumstances, there is least possibility of bringing additional area under cultivation for meeting future demands of food grain for increasing population.

The only alternative for meeting such demands is to improve level of management of “soils already under cultivation” and by improving level of productivity of potential arable lands which are presently uncultivated due to one or other reasons. http://agricoop.nic.in/sites/default/files/rps_guidelines%20%282%29.pdf

RKVY Scheme for Reclamation of Problem Soils-as sub-scheme Planning Commission constituted a Working Group of Sub-Committee of the National Development Council (NDC) on Agriculture and Related Issues on Dryland/ Rainfed Farming System including Regeneration of Degraded Waste Land, Watershed Development Programme As recommended by the Committee Constituted by National Development Council (NDC) and also with a view of reclamation and development of problem (Alkali, Saline and Acid) soils to meet the demands of food grain of ever increasing population, a dedicated “Scheme for Reclamation of Problem Soils” has been introduced as sub scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). http://agricoop.nic.in/sites/default/files/rps_guidelines%20%282%29.pdf

RKVY Objectives Main objectives of the programme are:a) To reclaim and develop problem soils (lands affected by alkalinity, salinity & acidity); b) To adopt need based site specific on farm development, bio-engineering measures and application of soil amendments in Projectised Approach; c) To improve soil fertility and productivity by application of soil test based judicious use of fertilizers and application of macro & micro nutrients, etc.; d) To enhance crop yields by adoption of salt tolerant crop/tree farming systems to ensure food security of the country; and e) To create awareness amongst farmers & stakeholders for continuous cultivation to prevent re-occurrence of problem of alkalinity, salinity and acidity in conjunction with other ongoing missions. http://agricoop.nic.in/sites/default/files/rps_guidelines%20%282%29.pdf

RKVY Strategies a) Adoption of Projectised approach for the reclamation and development of alkali, saline & acid soils in contiguous manner; b) Implementation of various need based land improvement interventions like, peripheral/marginal bunds, check bunds, hydraulic sluice gate, surface and subsurface drainage systems, farm ponds/water harvesting structures, on farm development, prevention of water logging by construction of bioengineering measures for prevention of ingress of sea water; http://agricoop.nic.in/sites/default/files/rps_guidelines%20%282%29.pdf

RKVY Strategies c) Application of soil amendments, leaching of salt by allowing water impounding with conserved rain water and ensuring sustainability of reclaimed areas by continuous cultivation of recommended salt tolerant crop varieties; d) Capacity building of farmers for continuous cultivation of salt tolerant crops/horticultural crops along with soil test based judicious application of fertilizers and micro nutrients to prevent reoccurrence of such problem soils; e) Adoption of definite withdrawal strategy for maintenance of drainage network & other assets created to ensure production system sustainable. http://agricoop.nic.in/sites/default/files/rps_guidelines%20%282%29.pdf