Georgia Neighbors, Fall 2013

Soil – It’s more than dirtBy Donna Rocker, Ag in the Classroom Coordinator, 1-478-474-0679 Ext. 5365

Answer key is on back

method to plant soybeans after harvesting wheat.I. This soil has smaller particles than sand. It holds water longer, but it doesn’t hold onto nutrients very well. J. A mixture of decaying organic matter used to improve soil structure and provide nutrients.K. Individual layers of soil as seen in a vertical cross-section of soil.L. Loosening and movement of soil by wind, water, ice and landslides.M. Misplaced soil (which you wash out of your clothes or from your hands). Soil is what plants grow in.N. Derived from living organisms; in compost, it is living material that is decomposed or decomposing and turning into soil.O. This soil type has the largest particles. It can’t hold onto water because there is so much space between the particles.P. This is the C Horizon and contains slightly broken-up bedrock.Q. Rows of trees or bushes are planted where they will block the wind.R. This soil type has the smallest particles. It holds water well and holds on to nutrients better than silt. S. This is the A soil horizon which is the second layer that plants grow in.T. Wise use and protection of our natural resources.U. This soil contains a balance of soil types as well as organic matter. It is dark in color and soft, dry and crumbly in your hands. It holds water, but drains well.V. This is the R horizon and is the unweathered rock layer beneath all the others. It is not soil.

Soil is the naturally occurring mixture of minerals, organic matter, water and air that forms the surface of the earth. Everything depends on soil either directly or indirectly, whether it is a plant with roots running into the soil to get nutrients or animals obtaining nutrients from eating the

plants that grow in the soil. Soil helps filter out pollutants from the water that runs through it. That is why it is so important for farmers and all of us to take care of our soil. Match the terms below with the description or phrase that best fits. Then find the terms on the word search.

A L S I L O D L F A R M E R S O I I P A I T D A I T H A N K C X Q T Y D O R D O W O R G A N I C W B S C M Y L P Y Q S V T X N O T I S I L E T E I A P Z N O Q L L I T O N O Z O T B V R B Z O C O N S E L S M N U T R Z E E N F Z U Z F F U I T F Z E F Z F T N N O I T A V R E S N O C R L N P S T O X R F C H M O N I Z P O X U D I M P E O B E Z I H Z D J N S M T J A A R Z H E W L E W O R M L I O R I N T O E L D P G T Z B Z S P O Q I H D E F Y I R Q O A B D G Q U N V E L A R I W O Y E A R T H W O R M S N V N I L F S D J N R C P T D R T U T P C A I I Q Z A W O X R E Q W K A H E E L K W I N D M B Y B E L E A R T H E S D Z U L P L R D S Z V J R A J K U B E D R O C K I G C K S O E N C L G Z I T S A G S U O T Y A L C M Y F X I H T V M J E N Y S V N A R G A I M B D R C K W K A E R B D N I W W E T H A N K A F A R M E R U R U H S O C O W E I E I O R A O R O S H U B M

A. This is the B Horizon and contains the clay and mineral deposits.B. These organisms live in the soil and digest organic matter, making the soil richer and aerating the soil.C. The arrangement of the soil horizons.D. This is the O soil horizon. It is the top, organic layer of soil mostly made up of decomposed or decomposing organic matter.E. A crop that is planted between periods

of regular crop production to prevent soil erosion and provide nitrogen to the soil.F. A naturally occurring mixture of minerals, organic matter, and air that forms the surface of the earth. G. Soil is a major source of this for healthy plants. The top 3 of these needed for plants to grow are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K).H. Planting seeds in the soil without tilling it first. In Georgia, some farmers use this

1. Soil2. Dirt3. Sand4. Silt5. Clay

6. Loam7. Soil Horizons8. Bedrock9. Parent Material

10. Subsoil11. Topsoil12. Humus13. Organic14. Erosion

15. Conservation16. No-till17. Windbreak18. Cover Crop

19. Earthworms20. Compost21. Nutrient22. Soil Profile

L D L I I

O O R G A N I C P S T A N L L I T O N R O L E Z I T E N N O I T A V R E S N O C R N T R O P O U M O I S T A H L I O R T L P S O I E I R O U N E L R O E A R T H W O R M S N

I F S C U T A I O R H

L M E E L P L V B E D R O C K I S O

S A O Y A L C T M S N

K A E R B D N I W U

S

1. F2. M3. O4. I5. R6. U7. K8. V9. P10. A11. S12. D13. N14. L15. T16. H17. Q18. E19. B20. J21. G22. C

– Kid’s Corner Answer Key –