Lecture

Soil Air
Soil air is a continuation of the atmospheric air. Unlike the other components, it is constant
state of motion from the soil pores into the atmosphere and from the atmosphere into the pore
space. This constant movement or circulation of air in the soil mass resulting in the renewal of its
component gases is known as soil aeration.
Composition of Soil Air:
The soil air contains a number of gases of which nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and water
vapour are the most important. Soil air constantly moves from the soil pores into the atmosphere
and from the atmosphere into the pore space. Soil air and atmospheric air differ in the
compositions. Soil air contains a much greater proportion of carbon dioxide and a lesser
[Link] of oxygen than atmospheric air. At the same time, soil air contains a far great amount of
water vapour than atmospheric air. The amount of nitrogen in soil air is almost the same as in
the atmosphere.
Composition of soil and atmospheric air
Percentage by volume
Nitrogen Oxygen carbon dioxide
Soil Air 79.2 20.6 0.3
Atmospheric Air 79.9 20.97 0.03

Factors Affecting the Composition of Soil Air:

A. Nature and condition of soil:
The quantity of oxygen in soil air is less than that in atmospheric air. The amount of oxygen
also depends upon the soil depth. The oxygen content of the air in lower layer is usually less
than that of the surface soil. This is possibly due to more readily diffusion of the oxygen from
the atmosphere into the surface soil than in the subsoil. Light texture soil or sandy soil contains
much higher percentage than heavy soil. The concentration of CO2 is usually greater in subsoil
probablydue to more sluggish aeration in lower layer than in the surface soil.

1. Type of crop:

Plants roots require oxygen, which they take from the soil air and deplete the concentration
of oxygen in the soil air. Soils on which crops are grown contain more CO2 than fallow lands,
The amount of CO2 is usually much greater near the roots of plants than further away. It may be
due to respiration by roots.
2. Microbial activity:
The microorganisms in soil require oxygen for respiration and they take it from the soil air
and thus deplete its concentration in the soil air. Decomposition of organic matter produces
CO2 because of increased microbial activity. Hence, soils rich in organic matter contain
higher percentage of CO2.
3. Seasonal variation:
The quantity of oxygen is usually higher in dry season than during the monsoon. Because
soils are normally drier during the summer months, opportunity for gaseous exchange is greater
during this period. This results in relatively high O2 and low CO2 levels. Temperature also
influences the CO2 content in the soil air. High temperature during summer season encourages
microorganism activity which results in higher production of CO2.
B. Physical properties of soil
1. Soil Texture
Soil texture refers to the relative amounts of inorganic particles i.e. Sand, Silt and Clay.
Sand grains are large and coarse, clay particles are vary fine and smooth, and silt particles
intermediate.
2. Soil Structure
The way in which soil particles are grouped or bound together to form lumps or
aggregates is known as soil structure. There are two main types of soil structure, (10) single
grained and (2) compound structure. Soil structure can be modified by adopting various soil
management practices including aeration, tillage, crop rotation, irrigation, drainage etc.
3. Soil Density
The density of soil can be expressed in two ways. (1) The density of solid (particle density),
particles of the soil and (2) the density of the whole (Bulk density) soil that is inclusive of
pore space. Generally soils with low bulk density have better physical condition than those
with higher bulk densities. Texture and structure of a soil, its total pore space and organic matter
content are all related to bulk densities. Soil density can be modified with aeration.

4. Soil Porosity
Between the soil particles there are empty spaces which are occupied by air and water and
are termed as pore spaces. Pore spaces between the aggregates of soil particles are macro pores
and those between the individual particles of the aggregates are micro pores. Sandy soils have a
higher percentage of macro pores. Typically, sandy soils never become water logged and allow
water to percolate downward more rapidly than clay soils. Typically, moisture content in
sandy soils is relatively low when compared to clay soils.
 Clay soils contain a higher percentage micro pores when compared to sandy soils. Clay soils
are more susceptible to water logging which can adversely effect root respiration and
microbial activity. A proper balance between the macro and micro pores can be maintain by
timely aeration.
5. Soil Colour
Soil color is helpful in determining soil properties. A dark brown or black colored soil
indicates its high organic matter content and fertility. A red or yellowish soil shows good
aeration and proper drainage. A white color, resulting from the accumulation of salts of
alkali indicates deterioration of soil fertility and its unsuitability for normal growth of many
crops
6. Soil temperature
Soil temperature has a profound influence on seed germination, root and shoot growth, and
nutrient uptake and crop growth. Seeds do not germinate below or above a certain range of
temperature but Micro-organisms functioning in the soil are very active while a certain
range of temperature, which is about 270 to 320C. It is necessary to know whether the soil
temperature is helpful to the activities of plants and micro-organisms and the temperature
could be suitably controlled and modified. The various factors that control the soil
temperature are soil moisture, soil colour,
6. Plant growth:
Soil micro-organisms show maximum growth and activity at optimum soil temperature
range. All crops practically slow down their growth below the temperature of about 90C and
above the temperature of about 500 C. The biological processes for nutrient transformations and
nutrient availability are controlled by soil temperature and soil moisture.
C. Biological properties of soil:
A variety of organisms inhabit the soil. They decompose organic matter, fix atmospheric
nitrogen, cause denitrification etc. Specific groups of organisms are responsible for specific
activities in the soil. Such activities may be beneficial or harmful to the crop or its yield
potential.
1. Bacteria
Bacteria are generally confined to the 20 to 30 cm. layer and work best when there is (1)
good aeration, a neutral reaction, soil moisture content at about half of the soil's water
holding capacity and temperature between 250 c and 380 c'
2. Fungi
These organisms produce microscopic threads called mycelia and are found in the organic
matter of plant roots. Fungi help in breaking down the somewhat resistant parts of the organic
matter like cellulose, lignin, gums etc. A large part of slowly decomposing soil humus is made
up of the dead remains of fungi.

3. Actinomycetes
They can grow in deeper layers even under dry conditions. Their main function lies in
decomposing the resistant parts of organic matter like cellulose.
4. Algae
They are microscopic or very minute sized plants having chlorophyll and are usually found
on the surface of wet soils. They help in adding organic matter to soil, improving the soil aeration
and fixing atmospheric nitrogen.
Texture and other soil properties and plant growth
Many of the important soil properties are related to texture. Clayey soils show high water
holding capacity, high plasticity, and stickiness and swelling whereas sandy soils are conspicuous
by the absence of these properties. The most important way in which soil texture affects plant
growth is water and with it the nutrient supply. The available water holding capacity of soil is
related to soil texture. Timely aeration can improve Soil texture improved water holding
capacity.
1. Soil structure and plant growth
Soil structure influences plant growth rather indirectly. The pores are the controlling
factors governing water, air and temperature in soil, which in turn, govern plant growth. One
of the best e.g. of the effect of soil structure on plant growth is the emergence of seedlings in
theseedbed. The seedlings are very sensitive to soil physical condition so that there should not
be any hindrance to the emergence of tender seedlings and there should be optimum soil
water and soil aeration. The soil in the seedbed should have a crumb structure so that the
roots of the seedling can penetrate it easily. The hard compact layer impedes root growth.

2. Soil water
Water is essential for plant growth. Soil is capable of being a storehouse of water and
becoming the main source of water for land plants. Soil water plays a significant role in
several natural processes- evaporation, infiltration and drainage of water, diffusion of gases,
conduction of heat, and movement of salts and nutrients are all dependent upon the amount
of water present in soil. Plants meet their water requirement from water stored in soil. Soil
moisture can be improved with aeration.
3. Soil Aeration and plant growth
Oxygen is required by microbe and plants for respiration. Oxygen taken up and carbon
dioxide evolved are stoichiometric. Under anaerobic conditions, gaseous carbon compounds
other than carbon dioxide are evolved. Root elongation is particularly sensitive to aeration.
Oxygen deficiency disturbs metabolic processes in plants, resulting in the accumulation of
toxic substances in plants and low uptake of nutrients.
4. Soil compaction
Soil compaction is the process of increasing dry bulk density of soil and reducing pore
spaceby expulsion of air through applied pressure on a soil body. Soil compaction is a
limiting factor in seed germination, water transmission and aeration. Timely aeration and the
incorporation of biologicals can prevent soil compaction.