The Dirt on Soil What is soil texture

The Dirt on Soil

What is soil texture? • Soil texture is the fineness or coarseness of a soil. It describes the proportion of three sizes of soil particles. • The textures of soil include: 1. Sand—large particle 2. Silt—medium-sized particle 3. Clay—small particle

Soil Particle Size

Sand • Sand is the largest particle in the soil. When you rub it, it feels rough. This is because it has sharp edges. Sand does not hold many nutrients.

Silt • Silt is a soil particle whose size is between sand clay. Silt feels smooth and powdery. When wet it feels smooth but not sticky.

Clay • Clay is the smallest of particles. Clay is smooth when dry and sticky when wet. Soils high in clay content are called heavy soils. Clay also can hold a lot of nutrients, but doesn't let air and water through it well.

Why is soil texture important? Texture is important because it affects: • Water-holding capacity—the ability of a soil to retain water for use by plants • Permeability—the ease with which air and water may pass through the soil • Soil workability—the ease with which soil may be tilled and the timing of working the soil after a rain • Ability of plants to grow—some root crops like carrots and onions will have difficulty growing in a fine-textured soil

References Soil Background Picture http: //foxsilver. deviantart. com/art/Soil-and-Grass 114597279? qj=15&q=sort%3 Atime+favby%3 Acc 5 zt&qo=3666&offset=10 Particle Pictures/Information http: //urbanext. illinois. edu/gpe/case 2/c 2 facts 2. html http: //qldgeotechnical. com. au/main/page_soil_info_soil_types. html Sand Picture http: //notesmaster. com/notes/syllabus/viewer/1575 -types-of-soils Silt Picture http: //westhooksandandgravel. com/Blue. Clay. Pond. Silt. Crushed. Item 4. html Clay Picture http: //soils. usda. gov/technical/classification/orders/ultisols. html