Soil Horizon Options

Transported vs. Residual

Transported soil has been moved from its original location, while residual soil is formed directly on rock or other material where it is found.
Transported can be found often where there is high erosion and natural disasters that would disrupt the soil, residual is often found in areas where underlying rock would be exposed to the elements.

Acidic Soil

• Tropical Climates: Heavy rainfall and high temperatures contribute to the formation of acidic soils.
• Leaching: The leaching of natural minerals such as calcium and magnesium from the soil by water can cause the soil to become more acidic.
• Laterites: Laterites are commonly found in tropical regions, they have a reddish color and high aluminium, high temperatures and heavy rainfall cause weathering of underlying rock and can lead to acidic soils forming.

Akaline Soil

Akaline soil is soil that holds a high pH, making it less acidic, this can occur due to lack of water to create leaching, high pH can make the soil not fit for many types of plants which require a more neutral pH to survive.

Temperate Soils

• Pedalfer: Rich in iron and aluminium and is found in humid regions, formed through weathering of rock releasing the compounds into the soil, this soil is great for agriculture.
• Pedocal: Pedocal soil is rich in calcium and is found in arid regions, it formed through precipitation of calcium carbonate from groundwater, and is less great for agriculture.

Soil Nutrients

• Nitrogen-Foliage: Leaves contain a high concentration of nitrogen, important for health and growth of plants; an excess in nitrogen can lead to excessive growth that causes the plant to be less resistant to disease and pests.
• Phosphorus-Genetics/Seed Development: Phosphorus is integral to seed development and is involved in the growth and maturing of the seed.
• Potassium (K) Potash-Strength: Potash refers to potassium bearing minerals, with Potash-Strength refering to the abundance of potassium in the plant.
• pH-Utilization of Nutrients: pH of soil effects the ability of plants to effectively use nutrients, and can lead to defecencies in the soil and subsequent poor plant health.