After reading this article you will learn about:- 1. Concept of Silicate Clays 2. Structure of Silicate Clays 3. Classification 4. Sources of Negative Charges. Concept of Silicate Clays: (i) Size and Chemical Composition: The chemical analysis of clay indicates the presence of silica, alumina, iron and combined water. These make up from 90-98 per cent of the colloidal clay. [...]
After reading this article you will learn about the meaning and types of soil colloids. Meaning Soil Colloids: The colloidal state refers to a two-phase system in which one material (or materials) in a very finely divided state is dispersed through a second. Few examples of the colloidal state—milk and cheese; clouds and fog; starch, gelatin, rubber, proteins, blood, and [...]
After reading this article you will learn about the importance of cation exchange in plant nutrition. Cation exchange is an important reaction in soil fertility, in correcting soil acidity and basicity, in altering soil physical properties, and as a mechanism in purifying or altering percolating waters. Plant roots, when they come in contact with colloidal particles, adsorb exchangeable cations directly [...]