Methods for Assessing Soil Physicochemical and Biological Properties

Components of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere all interact dynamically at the soil interface to create a dynamic environment that may be used to define the soil at any given time. This circulation of physical, biological, and chemical components keeps the soil alive and functioning as a living unit capable of serving as a habitat for many living creatures and a medium for diverse developmental processes. The defining nature of the interacting components makes it imperative to have established methods of assessing the physicochemical and biological properties of the soil to understand and enhance soil micro and macroflora and fauna as well as ecosystem processes and human developmental endeavors. In assessing the physicochemical properties of soil-like texture, the grain size distribution, especially of coarse-grained soils, may be ascertained through sieve analysis. A hydrometer analysis can also be performed to determine the size distribution of fine-grained soil particles. Soil pH and gravimetric methods can be used to ascertain the moisture content of most soil profiles. The biological characteristics of soil are essential for several processes in their environment such as maintaining soil health and quality, enhancing soil structure, and increasing soil aeration and penetrability. The kind and origin of the organic and inorganic constituents of soil have significant impacts on their quantitative and qualitative makeup. The kind and types of soil organisms are significantly influenced by soil physicochemical properties, especially climate, geographical location, and anthropogenic effects. Numerous compounds that stimulate plant development are produced by some soil microorganisms that thrive in different soil profiles. There is a need to regularly assess soil physicochemical and biological properties as well as the methods to quantify and identify these properties to properly define the quality of the soil and their value to development.