Explain, why turning and loosening of soil is an important step before growing a crop.

Explanation

Loosening and turning of soil is an important step before growing a crop due to following reasons,
(i) Loosening and turning of soil allows the roots to penetrate deep into the soil. This allows the roots to breathe easily even when they go deep into the soil because of more air space between the soil particles.
(ii) The loosened soil helps in the growth of earthworms and microbes present in the soil. They further turn and loosen the soil and add humus to it.
(iii) Various nutrients held in the dead organisms are released back into the soil when they are decomposed. Turning and loosening of soil brings the nutrient rich soil to the top so that plants can use these nutrients.