Lesson 2: Soil Formation Vocabulary

3. organisms that break down the remains of dead organisms
6. the soil layer of rock beneath the soil.
7. the bottom layer containing partly weathered rock and has little organic material.
8. a loose mixture of rock particles, minerals, decayed organic material, air, and water in which plants can grow.
9. the measure of how well soil supports plant growth.
12. farmers plow their fields along the curves of a slow to help slow the runoff of excess rainfall.

1. below the topsoil and consists of clay and other particles washed down from the topsoil; B Horizon
2. plowing when farmers leave dead weeds and stalks from the previous year's crops to return nutrients to the soil.
4. when a farmer plants different crops in a field each year, which allows the soil to maintain its fertility.
5. the top layer of soil; A horizon
10. a dark-colored substance found in the soil from decayed organic material.
11. soil comprised of equal parts clay, sand, and silt; best for growing most types of plants