Soil Air

The air content of soil is vital, both to itself and to organic life within it. The air in the soil helps in the process of oxidation which converts nitrogen into a form readily available to the plants. On the other hand, too high degree of oxidation (in the tropical regions) may consume so much organic material that the soil becomes increasingly sterile. Moreover, most bacteria, present in the soil in infinite numbers, require oxygen and are said to be aerobic. As these organisms are partly responsible for breaking down plant and animals remains, absence of air limits their activity.