Soil types and fertility

Soil is the loose top layer of the earth in which plants grow. Its main types are sandy, clayey and loamy, classified by the size of their particles.

Sandy soil has large particles, drains quickly and holds few nutrients. Clay soil has very fine particles, holds water strongly and becomes waterlogged. Loamy soil is a balanced mixture and is the best for most crops.

Fertility is maintained by adding organic manure and fertilisers, crop rotation, cover cropping, mulching and leaving land fallow. Continuous cropping without replacement leads to nutrient depletion and erosion.