toprak

Toprak is the Turkish word for soil or earth. In Turkish, it refers to the mineral and organic material that forms the surface layer of the land and supports plant life, as well as to soil in ecological and agricultural contexts.

Soil forms through the weathering of rocks and the accumulation of organic matter, driven by climate, organisms, relief, parent material, and time. It comprises minerals, organic matter, water, and air, and is typically described by horizons such as O, A, E, B, and C.

Soil texture, the relative amounts of sand, silt, and clay, influences drainage and nutrient availability. Other properties such as structure, pH, salinity, and organic matter content affect fertility and crop performance. Soils range from sandy with rapid drainage to clayey with high nutrient retention, with loamy soils often considered productive for agriculture.

Soils perform essential ecological functions, including supporting plant growth, regulating hydrology, cycling nutrients, providing habitat for organisms, storing carbon, and serving as a resource for construction and energy.

Soil is a finite resource vulnerable to erosion, salinization, compaction, and degradation from overuse or mismanagement. Sustainable practices include crop rotation, cover crops, reduced tillage, contour farming, terracing, vegetation buffers, and careful irrigation to preserve soil health and productivity.

In Turkish-speaking communities, Toprak is also used as a proper name and surname.

Related topics include soil science, agronomy, and soil conservation.