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Soils 101- Physical properties

Soils 101- Physical properties. Soils 101- Physical properties. It’s more than just “dirt”. Introduction – Why should I care?. Introduction – Why should I care?. Different soil types have unique properties. Introduction – Why should I care?. Different soil types have unique properties

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Soils 101- Physical properties

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  1. Soils 101- Physical properties

  2. Soils 101- Physical properties It’s more than just “dirt”

  3. Introduction – Why should I care?

  4. Introduction – Why should I care? • Different soil types have unique properties

  5. Introduction – Why should I care? • Different soil types have unique properties • Those properties, along with environment, affect tree survival and growth

  6. Introduction – Why should I care? • Different soil types have unique properties • Those properties, along with environment, affect tree survival and growth • Planting the wrong tree for the site is a waste of time and $

  7. Introduction – Why should I care? • Different soil types have unique properties • Those properties, along with environment, affect tree survival and growth • Planting the wrong tree for the site is a waste of time and $ • Soil physical properties – the first thing to know about a site

  8. Barnes soil Photos courtesy of Dave Hopkins, NDSU

  9. Bowdlesoil Barnes soil Photos courtesy of Dave Hopkins, NDSU

  10. Soil components

  11. Soil components • Solids and pores

  12. Soil components • Solids and pores • Solids – Minerals + Organic matter

  13. Soil components • Solids and pores • Solids – Minerals + Organic matter • Pores – Water + Air

  14. Soil components • Solids and pores • Solids – Minerals + Organic matter • Pores – Water + Air • Ideal soil – Even mix of solids and pores ...

  15. Mineral 45% Organic 5% Brady, 1990

  16. Soil components • Solids and pores • Solids – Minerals + Organic matter • Pores – Water + Air • Ideal soil – Even mix of solids and pores ... • Note: • Minerals – Sand (largest), silt, clay (smallest)

  17. Soil components • Solids and pores • Solids – Minerals + Organic matter • Pores – Water + Air • Ideal soil – Even mix of solids and pores ... • Note: • Minerals – Sand (largest), silt, clay (smallest) • Pores – Even mix of water and air

  18. Soil components • Solids and pores • Solids – Minerals + Organic matter • Pores – Water + Air • Ideal soil – Even mix of solids and pores ... • Note: • Minerals – Sand (largest), silt, clay (smallest) • Pores – Even mix of water and air • Organic matter is good stuff ...

  19. Organic matter • Holds onto water • Great source of nutrients • Binds soil particles together into larger aggregates

  20. Texture

  21. Texture • Relative amount of sand, silt and clay only

  22. Texture • Relative amount of sand, silt and clay only • Lots of one part – soil named by that part

  23. Texture • Relative amount of sand, silt and clay only • Lots of one part – soil named by that part • e.g., 20% sand, 20% silt, 60% clay – clay

  24. Texture • Relative amount of sand, silt and clay only • Lots of one part – soil named by that part • e.g., 20% sand, 20% silt, 60% clay – clay • e.g., 12% sand, 82% silt, 6% clay – silt

  25. Texture • Relative amount of sand, silt and clay only • Lots of one part – soil named by that part • Mixtures are called loams

  26. Texture • Relative amount of sand, silt and clay only • Lots of one part – soil named by that part • Mixtures are called loams • e.g., 40% sand, 40% silt, 20% clay – loam

  27. Texture • Relative amount of sand, silt and clay only • Lots of one part – soil named by that part • Mixtures are called loams • e.g., 40% sand, 40% silt, 20% clay – loam • e.g., 33% sand, 33% silt, 34% clay – clay loam

  28. Texture triangle

  29. Example: 20% sand 60% clay 20% silt

  30. Example: 20% sand 60% clay 20% silt

  31. Example: 20% sand 60% clay 20% silt

  32. Example: 20% sand 60% clay 20% silt

  33. Example: 20% sand 60% clay 20% silt Clay soil

  34. Example: 62% sand 15% clay 23% silt ???? soil

  35. Example: 62% sand 15% clay 23% silt sandy loam soil

  36. Texture • Relative amount of sand, silt and clay only • WHY SHOULD I CARE?

  37. Texture • Relative amount of sand, silt and clay only • WHY SHOULD I CARE? • Different soil types have unique properties • Those properties, along with environment, affect tree survival and growth • Planting the wrong tree for the site is a waste of time and $

  38. Pore Space

  39. Pore Space • Size matters

  40. Pore Space • Size matters – macropores and micropores

  41. Pore Space • Size • Macropores – large, water drains easily

  42. Macropores Brady, 1990

  43. Pore Space • Size • Macropores – large, water drains easily • Micropores – small, water held tightly

  44. Macropores Micropores Brady, 1990

  45. Pore Space • Size • Macropores – large, water drains easily • Micropores – small, water held tightly • Texture effects

  46. Pore Space • Size • Macropores – large, water drains easily • Micropores – small, water held tightly • Texture effects • Sands – lots of macropores

  47. Pore Space • Size • Macropores – large, water drains easily • Micropores – small, water held tightly • Texture effects • Sands – lots of macropores • Clays – lots of micropores

  48. Pore Space • Size • Macropores – large, water drains easily • Micropores – small, water held tightly • Texture effects • Sands – lots of macropores • Loam – mixture of macro- and micropores • Clays – lots of micropores

  49. Pore Space • Size • Macropores – large, water drains easily • Micropores – small, water held tightly • Texture effects • Sands – lots of macropores • Loam – mixture of macro- and micropores • Clays – lots of micropores Effect on infiltration and water availability?

  50. McLaren & Cameron

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