Properties of Soil

SOIL Mixture of mineral matter, organic matter, water, and air. Properties of soil

4 Soil components Average soils will contain 45% minerals and 5% organic matter. The components air and water equal the other 50%. Air 25% Mineral Matter 45% Water 25% Organic Matter 5%

Soil components The two components Water and Air change depending on the amount of water or rain fall a soil receives. The four parts of a soil: mineral organic matter (HUMUS) water air

5 Soil Formation Factors 1. Parent material-The material that soils will be formed from. 2. Climatic factors* Most influential of the four factors. a. Temperature b. Rain c. Wind *Active factors

Soil Formation Factors 3. Relief (topography)The elevation or slope of the land.Soil Formation Factors 4. Biota* (biosphere) All Living organisms in an environment 5. Time-The amount of time that materials have been weathered, determine the type of soil and it’s properties.

Soil Profile consists of 3 basic layers topsoil subsoil soil bedrock

Topsoil represents depth normally plowed

Subsoil deep rooting plants send roots down into subsoil

Master Horizons O-(organic) forms above the mineral soil. This horizon is usually found in forested areas. A-This is the top soil. It is a dark humus layer where most plant rooting occurs

Master Horizons B-zone of illuviation or accumulation from zones above it. C-parent material composed of wind- blown silt(loess),river deposits or glacial till, R-Bedrock

Soil classified according to percentage of sand, silt, and clay they contain. We call this Soil texture!

Soil Physical Characteristics What is Soil Texture? It is the proportion of three sizes of soil particles. Which are: Sand (Large) Silt (Medium) Clay (Small)

Soil Structure Soils have three different particle sizes The largest particles are sand. They range from 2.0-.005 mm in diameter

Soil Structure Particles that are between .005-.002 mm in diameter are considered silt. The soil particles .002 mm in diameter and smaller are clay particles.

Soil Texture What is Sand? It is the largest and is further divided into four subcategories. They are: Very coarse sand Coarse sand Medium sand Fine Sand

Soil Texture Sand it is the largest soil separate and is composed mainly of weathered grains of quartz. Sand is also gritty to the touch. Sand grains will not stick to each other. silt and clay make up less than 20% by weight drain well little water holding capacity

Soil Texture What will sand do to the soil? It will improve the soil by improving the water infiltration and aeration

Soil Texture is the medium sized soil separated. Silt is the medium sized soil separated. Silt particles are silky or powdery to the touch Silt grains will not stick to one another just like sand grains. Silt is the best soil as it has the ability to hold large amounts of water in a form plants can use.

Soil Texture must contain at least 30% clay is the smallest size soil separate. It is composed of tiny crystals Clay is formed by chemical reactions between weathered minerals to form tiny particle of new minerals. Clay will hold more plant nutrients than any other separate. Clay grains will stick to one another. must contain at least 30% clay holds more moisture than is good for plants poor drainage

Loamy Soil most desirable soil equal parts sand, silt and clay

Soil Texture

Soil Texture 1. 40% sand 22% clay and 38% silt What is the soil classified as?

Soil Texture 2. 30% sand 30 % clay and 40 % silt What is it?

Soil Texture 3. 40% sand 10 % clay and 50% silt What is it?

Soil Texture 4. 40 % sand 30% clay and 30% silt. What is it?