What is gypsic soil?

Gypsiferous soils are soils that contain sufficient quantities of gypsum (calcium sulphate) to interfere with plant growth. Soils with gypsum of pedogenic origin are found in regions with ustic, xeric and aridic moisture regimes (Nettleton et al. 1982).

What is Gypsic horizon?

In arid areas or during the dry hot season of some climates, soil moisture moves up through capilars, a gypsic or petrogypsic horizon may be formed relatively near the surface. In arid regions with hot and dry summers, gypsum is dehydrated into a hemihydrate powder, which returns again to gypsum crystals during winter.

What is Xerosols?

XEROSOLS (X) Other soils having a weak ochric A horizon and an aridic moisture regime; lacking permafrost within 200 cm of the surface.

How does gypsum form in soil?

It is a natural mineral that occurs in certain types of sedimentary rocks. Gypsum forms when water evaporates in mineral-rich marine soil environments. Over long periods of time, evaporation brings more minerals to the soil surface, eventually forming a solid deposit.

Are soils that are composed mainly of organic materials they contain at least 20 to 30% organic matter by weight and are more than 40 cm thick?

Histosols are soils that are composed mainly of organic materials. They contain at least 20 to 30% organic matter by weight and are more than 40 cm thick.

What is Nitosols soil?

A nitisol in the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) is a deep, red, well-drained soil with a clay content of more than 30% and a blocky structure. Nitisols correlate with the kandic alfisols, ultisols and inceptisols of the USDA soil taxonomy.

What are Andosols used for?

Andosols have a high potential for agricultural production but many of them are not used to their ca- pacity. By and large, Andosols are fertile soils, particularly Andosols in intermediate or basic volcanic ash and not exposed to excessive leaching. The strong phosphate fixation of Andosols is a problem.

Does gypsum raise pH?

Gypsum does not change pH nor improve drainage in non-sodic situations. Gypsum is used to add calcium to soils such as serpentine with very high or toxic Mg levels.

Is gypsum a fertilizer?

Gypsum is one of the earliest forms of fertilizer used in the United States. It has been applied to agricultural soils for more than 250 years. Gypsum is a moderately soluble source of the essential plant nutrients, calcium and sulfur, and can improve overall plant growth.

Which type of soil is the best?

The ideal blend of soil for plant growth is called loam. Often referred to as topsoil or black dirt by landscape companies, loam is a mixture of sand, clay, and silt. The estimated mixture is 40% sand – 40% silt – 20% clay.