Read the following paragraph about the formation and development of podzol soils and match the words from the list below with the numbered spaces - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question a - 2014

1. Improves Soil Structure: Humus enhances soil structure, making it crumbly and improving aeration.

2. Nutrient Reservoir: It acts as a reservoir for nutrients, holding water and making essential nutrients available to plants.

3. Supports Microbial Life: Humus provides food for soil organisms, promoting a healthy ecosystem in the soil.

1. Adding Organic Matter: Incorporating compost, manure, or leaf litter into the soil can enhance its humus content.

2. Crop Rotation: Implementing crop rotation with cover crops can also help build soil organic matter over time.

1. Sample Collection: Take a measured amount of dry soil sample.

2. Weigh the Sample: Record the mass of the soil in grams.

3. Burn the Sample: Heat the soil in a crucible or container until all organic matter is burned off (approximately 550°C for several hours).

4. Weigh Again: Allow the crucible to cool and weigh it again to find the mass of the remaining inorganic residues.

5. Calculation: The percentage of organic matter can be calculated using the formula: $ext{Percentage of Organic Matter} = \left( \frac{\text{Initial Mass} - \text{Final Mass}}{\text{Initial Mass}} \right) \times 100$

Soil texture refers to the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay within a soil sample. It influences various soil properties including aeration, drainage, nutrient retention, and how the soil feels to the touch.

1. Drainage:
Sandy soils drain well due to larger particle size, while clay soils have poor drainage and can hold excess water.

2. Fertility:
Sandy soils are often low in nutrients and require regular amendment, while clay soils can be more fertile but may retain nutrients inefficiently.

3. Ease of Tilling:
Sandy soils are easy to till due to their loose structure; clay soils are harder to manage and require more effort, especially when wet.