Refers to soil as a natural substance, especially in agricultural, geological, or environmental contexts. More formal than 土 (つち).
A variety of vegetables grow well in fertile soil.
The soil in this region is suitable for rice cultivation.
土壌汚染が深刻な問題になっている。
Soil contamination has become a serious problem.
breeding ground; fertile ground
Metaphorical use: an environment or conditions that foster the development of something, often negative (crime, corruption) but also positive (talent, culture).
貧困は犯罪の温床となる土壌だ。
Poverty is a breeding ground for crime.
自由な校風が創造性を育む土壌となった。
The liberal school culture became fertile ground for nurturing creativity.
Poverty can become a breeding ground for crime.
This city has an environment that nurtures artists.
土 is the plain, everyday word for dirt or ground, while 土壌 is the more formal, technical term used in agricultural or scientific contexts.
土地 refers to land as a plot of property or area, whereas 土壌 refers to the soil substance itself, not the land as a whole.
土壌 is the general term for 'soil' of any kind, while ローム names one specific soil texture made of sand, silt, and clay.
土壌 means soil in the sense of fertile ground for growing plants, while 土砂 refers to loose earth and sand, often swept up in disasters or construction.
soil science; pedology
soil moisture
soil animal; soil life; soil biota; edaphon
soil improvement; soil amelioration
soil moisture; soil water
Compound of 土 (ど, 'earth, soil') and 壌 (じょう, 'soft soil, loam'). The second character is not used independently in modern Japanese.
soil bacteria
acid soil