Final answer:
The incorrect statement about soil is that its properties are dependent only on nonliving components. In fact, the health and properties of soil are determined by the interaction of both living (such as microbes and plant roots) and nonliving components (like humus and rock particles).
Step-by-step explanation:
The incorrect statement about soil among the given options is b. The properties of soil are dependent only on nonliving components. Soil health is a product of the interaction between both living and nonliving components. The organic and inorganic material present in the soil, such as humus or rock particles, interact with the living organisms, like microbes and plant roots, to create a healthy soil environment. These interactions affect various properties of the soil, including its structure, nutrient content, and its ability to support life.
Soil properties are critical to the productivity of plant life because soil serves as a natural medium that supplies essential inorganic nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus needed for plant growth. The statement pointing towards soil being solely dependent on nonliving components neglects the crucial role that living organisms have in the formation, structure, and function of soil ecosystems.