Soil-Plant relation

Soil and Plant are integral components of the ecosystem. The importance of understanding the relationship between the two is paramount to growing healthy, sustainable crops and plants. Soil is often referred to as the “skin” of the Earth because it provides mechanical support and nutrition to the plants. It serves as a buffer to temperature changes, supplies oxygen, and confines water to the plant roots. Soils possess a great variety of minerals, particle sizes, and water-holding capacities. The composition of the soil relies heavily on the environment in which it is formed, as well as, the climate, vegetation, and animals present. Plants grow better in soils that are nutrient-rich and have good internal drainage. Plants take up and store essential inorganic and organic nutrients through their roots. Certain plants can also liberate soil nutrients, such as nitrogen, by fixing atmospheric nitrogen into the soil. Plants also aid the soil in retaining water, by slowing down the rate of evaporation and by helping to prevent erosion of topsoil. The root mass and root nodules of legume plants can also increase the quantity of organic matter in the soil. Organic matter increases soil fertility and can improve its physical properties, such as texture, structure, and water holding capacity. The mutual relationship between plants and soil is crucial to plant growth and the health of the environment. Plants benefit from healthy soils, while improved soils in turn favour the growth of plants. In the process of photosynthesis, plants use portions of the soil’s nutrients while in return giving off oxygen and carbon dioxide. This continuous exchange of materials insures that the relationship is a three-way loop: the plant, the soil, and the environment. Therefore, understanding the relationship between plants and soil is critical for sustainable crop production.