Question

Explain the importance of soil for plant growth.

Answer 1

Hint: Soil covers some of the world’s land surface. It varies from place to place depending on some factors such as climate, topography, time, surface etc. Soil is composed of minerals and organic matter. The mineral portion of soil is called texture.

Complete answer:
Soil is the foundation of the basic ecosystem. It helps in regulating the earth’s temperature and also greenhouse gases. Soil supports plant growth by providing them with oxygen which allows them to live and grow. The Importance of soil in plant growth are as follows:
1. Root systems extend outwards and downwards, thereby stabilizing plants here, the soil helps in the anchorage process.
2. Soil supplies nutrients such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus, etc. and also holds them in the form of fertilizer. Nutrients are helpful for plants to survive.
3. Temperature modification is important during excessive hotness or cold weather. Soil helps in
controlling the temperature in plants.
4. Soil particles contain water, which moves through the plant via roots. It helps to maintain the cell size and serves as a raw material for photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is a process in which plants capture light energy to manufacture sugars.
5. Healthy soil protects the land from erosion.

Note: Soil performs some main functions: they provide habitat for insects, bacteria and fungi. Soil modifies the atmosphere by emitting and absorbing gases (carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour, etc.). It plays an important role in nitrogen fixation in plants.