Soil Characteristics
Soils are made up of four basic components: minerals, air, water, and organic matter. In most soils, minerals represent around 45% of the total volume, water and air about 25% each, and from 2% to 5% organic matter. The mineral portion consists of three distinct particle sizes classified as sand, silt, or clay. Sand is the largest particle that can be considered soil. Sand is largely quartz, though other minerals are also present. Quartz contains no plant nutrients, and sand cannot hold nutrients as it is easily leached by rainfall or irrigation. Silt particles are much smaller than sand, but like sand, silt is primarily quartz.
The smallest of all soil particles is clay. Clays are quite different from sand or silt, and most types of clay contain appreciable amounts of plant nutrients. Clay has a large surface area resulting from the plate-like shape of the individual particles. Sandy soils are less productive than silts, while soils containing clay are the most productive and use fertilizers most effectively.
Soil texture refers to the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay. A loam soil contains these three types of soil particles in roughly equal proportions. A sandy loam is a mixture containing a larger amount of sand and a smaller amount of clay, while a clay loam contains a larger amount of clay and a smaller amount of sand.
Another soil characteristic is “soil structure”. It is distinct from soil texture. Structure refers to the clumping together or aggregation of sand, silt, and clay particles into larger secondary clusters. Soil structure is developed through the action of soil biota such as microbes and earthworms. This biota creates openings for water and air penetration and secretes glues and sugars which bind silt and clay particles together to form aggregates. Microorganisms help open up compacted soils so roots can more easily penetrate the soil. Good soil structure is apparent when the soil crumbles easily. This is an indication that the sand, silt, and clay particles are aggregated into granules or crumbs. Both texture and structure determine pore space for air and water circulation, erosion resistance, looseness, ease of tillage, and root penetration. Soil texture is related to minerals in the soil and changes little with agricultural activities. Soil structure on the other hand can be improved or destroyed readily by choice and timing of farming practices. BioFlora products are formulated and designed to help create better soil structure and thus create more fertile soils.
The smallest of all soil particles is clay. Clays are quite different from sand or silt, and most types of clay contain appreciable amounts of plant nutrients. Clay has a large surface area resulting from the plate-like shape of the individual particles. Sandy soils are less productive than silts, while soils containing clay are the most productive and use fertilizers most effectively.
Soil texture refers to the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay. A loam soil contains these three types of soil particles in roughly equal proportions. A sandy loam is a mixture containing a larger amount of sand and a smaller amount of clay, while a clay loam contains a larger amount of clay and a smaller amount of sand.
Another soil characteristic is “soil structure”. It is distinct from soil texture. Structure refers to the clumping together or aggregation of sand, silt, and clay particles into larger secondary clusters. Soil structure is developed through the action of soil biota such as microbes and earthworms. This biota creates openings for water and air penetration and secretes glues and sugars which bind silt and clay particles together to form aggregates. Microorganisms help open up compacted soils so roots can more easily penetrate the soil. Good soil structure is apparent when the soil crumbles easily. This is an indication that the sand, silt, and clay particles are aggregated into granules or crumbs. Both texture and structure determine pore space for air and water circulation, erosion resistance, looseness, ease of tillage, and root penetration. Soil texture is related to minerals in the soil and changes little with agricultural activities. Soil structure on the other hand can be improved or destroyed readily by choice and timing of farming practices. BioFlora products are formulated and designed to help create better soil structure and thus create more fertile soils.