Soil Horizons

Question 1

What is bedrock?

Answer 1

a soil horizon made of rock from the compressed layers of soil above it. Plant roots do not reach this layer.

Question 2

What is parent material?

Answer 2

Parent material exists between bedrock and subsoil and can contain rocks. Organisms don’t thrive here and chances of plant roots entering it are low. This can be found 5 feet below our feet, but it varies on location.

Question 3

What is subsoil?

Answer 3

Subsoil contains some nutrients but is also rich in clay. Subsoil can be found 2-4 feet below our feet.

Question 4

What is topsoil?

Answer 4

Topsoil is rich in nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Topsoil is essential for plant growth. Topsoil can be as deep as 2 feet.

Question 5

O Horizon

Answer 5

consists of fresh and decaying plant residue. top layer.

Question 6

A horizon

Answer 6

mainly mineral material. Generally darker than the lower horizons because of the varying amounts of humified organic matter. This horizon is where most root activity occurs and is usually the most productive layer of soil.

Question 7

E horizon

Answer 7

generally is bleached or whitish in appearance. As water moves down through this horizon, soluble minerals and nutrients dissolve and some dissolved materials are washed out.

Question 8

B horizon

Answer 8

AKA subsoil.

Question 9

C horizon

Answer 9

consist of less clay, or other less weathered sediments. partially disintegrate parent material and mineral particles are in this horizon.

Question 10

R horizon

Answer 10

lowest horizon, AKA bedrock