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Classification of Soils

Classification of Soils. Introduction to Agriculture. What will we learn today?. How do we classify soils? What is a soil profile? What is a land capability class? What is the Soil Classification System?. Soil Profile.

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Classification of Soils

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  1. Classification of Soils Introduction to Agriculture

  2. What will we learn today? • How do we classify soils? • What is a soil profile? • What is a land capability class? • What is the Soil Classification System?

  3. Soil Profile • A soil profile is a cross-sectional view of a soil showing its many layers • Each layer in the soil is called a horizon • Shows many characteristics of each layer: • Thickness • Color • Texture • Structure

  4. Soil Horizons • A Horizon – TOPSOIL • 1” to 3’ deep depending on region • Rich in humus, soil organisms, plant roots • B Horizon – SUBSOIL • Fine particles of clay, little organic matter • Water drainage and root penetration • C Horizon – PARENT MATERIAL • Not true soil, weathered parent material

  5. Other Horizons • O Horizon - ORGANIC MATTER • Plant or animal life • Organic plant residues • Decomposers • R Horizon - BEDROCK • 1’ to 1,000’+

  6. Land Capability Class • Land capability class is productive potential of soil based on: • texture, structure, slope and depth • Class I best for agricultural production • Class VIII least useful for agriculture

  7. Land Capability Class • Class 1 = Few limitations that restrict their use. Best for agriculture. • Class 2 = Moderate limitations that reduce the choice of plants or that require moderate conservation practices. • Class 3 = Severe limitations reducing choice of plants or requiring very careful management or both. • Class 4 = Very severe limitations reducing the choice of plants or requiring very careful management or both. • Class 5 = Not likely to erode but have other limitations, impractical to remove, that limit their use. • Class 6 = Severe limitations that making them generally unsuitable for cultivation. • Class 7 = Very severe limitations making them unavailable for cultivation. • Class 8 = Suitable only for wildlife, forests, and recreation. Subclasses indicate major limitations within a class. Class I has no subclasses. • Subclass E = Risk of erosion unless close-growing plant cover is maintained. • Subclass W = Water in or on the soil interferes with plant growth or cultivation • Subclass S = Shallow, droughty, or stone.

  8. Soil Classification System (SCS) • Developed by USDA to categorize the different types of soils that exist • All soils broken into 12 orders, then broken down further ending with series • About 10,500 known in the United States alone • Similar to binomial nomenclature used with plants, animals, etc.

  9. Soil Classification System (SCS)

  10. What did we learn today? • How do we classify soils? • What is a soil profile? • What is a land capability class? • What is the Soil Classification System?

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