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Soil Texture. What is Soil Texture ?. * Soil texture is a use classification of soils. *It is based on its relative content of sand, silt and clay or the % of each of these particles in a given amount of soil.
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What is Soil Texture ? * Soil texture is a use classification of soils.. *It is based on its relative content of sand, silt and clay or the % of each of these particles in a given amount of soil. *At one extreme we have pure sand, and at the other, pure clay. Most soils are mixtures that fall between these extremes *This is how we determine the common name that most of us apply to a particular type of soil, ie. “Sandy”, “Clay” , “Silty” or “loam”.
So What? Soil Texture determines the uses and the limitations of the soil.
The Type of agricultural crops that are best suited for a type or “Texture” of soil
How fast rainfall will run off of the soil. Heavy soils ( clay) = more total water holding capacity but Percolation rate and “Infiltration rate are slower. This results in morerunoff. Light soils ( Sand) = less water holding capacity but higher Infiltration” rates and higher “Percolation” rates. This results in lessrunoff.
The nutrient holding capacity of the soil. Clay particles have a negative charge. Nutrient compounds normally have a positive charge. Clay soils or “heavy”soils are better at holding nutrients. Sandy soils or “light” soils don’t hold nutrients as well.
Soil Texture Triangle • Sand:Silt:Clay:Texture • 25% 65%10% Silt Loam
Soil Texture Triangle • Sand:Silt:Clay:Texture • 35% 45%20% Loam