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Topsoil is composed of mineral particles and organic matter and usually extends to a depth of 5-10 inches (13–25 cm). Together these make a substrate capable of holding water and air which encourages biological activity.
In agriculture, soil compaction is a complex problem in which soil, crops, weather and machinery interact. External pressure due to the use of heavy machinery and inappropriate soil management can lead to the compaction of subsoil , creating impermeable layers within the soil that restrict water and nutrient cycles .
A soil stockpile is formed with excavated topsoil during the construction of buildings or infrastructure. It is considered to be an important resource in construction and ecology . [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Soil is stockpiled for later use in landscaping or restoration of the region following the removal of construction infrastructure. [ 3 ]
In soil science, agriculture and gardening, hardpan or soil pan is a dense layer of soil, usually found below the uppermost topsoil layer. [1] There are different types of hardpan, all sharing the general characteristic of being a distinct soil layer that is largely impervious to water. Some hardpans are formed by deposits in the soil that fuse ...
Lignosulfonate is used in agriculture as an analogue of humic substances. As a soil conditioner , it is mainly used to enhance the absorption and retention of fertilizers and other nutrients. [ 7 ] It is able to chelate minerals while remaining bio-degradable, an improvement compared to EDTA . [ 8 ]
The rows formed slow surface water run-off during rainstorms to prevent soil erosion and allow the water time to infiltrate into the soil. Soil conservation is the prevention of loss of the topmost layer of the soil from erosion or prevention of reduced fertility caused by over usage, acidification, salinization or other chemical soil contamination
Agricultural soil science studies the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to agriculture. Agricultural soil scientists develop methods that will improve the use of soil and increase the production of food and fiber crops. Emphasis continues to grow on the importance of soil sustainability.
In contrast, no-till, strip-till or reduced-till agriculture practices are carried out to maximize crop residue cover. Simple line-transect measurements can be used to estimate residue coverage. [1] Process residues are materials left after the crop is processed into a usable resource. These residues include husks, seeds, bagasse, molasses and ...