Soil is the most vital element required for food production, and is nothing but fine particles that have eroded from a parent rock. A rock, as we know, is made up of various minerals, metals, and fossils. Continuous exposure to natural and man-made factors causes the parent rock to weather. Over a period of time, these weathered rock particles form the top layer of soil, that plants use to grow and survive. The size of soil particles is important. The amount of open space between the particles influences how easily water moves through soil, and how much water the soil will hold. Too much clay in proportion to silt and sand causes the soil to take in water very slowly. Such soils give water to plants slowly, and are sticky when wet. Based on the components and the size of the particles, soil is classified into different types. This article describes the main types of soil; namely, sandy, clay, silty, loamy, peat, and chalky soil. Basically, soil is classified into different types based on its composition. For instance, loam soil has 10 to 30 percent clay, 30 to 50 percent silt, and 25 to 50 percent sand. Sandy clay loam, on the other hand, has 20 to 35 percent clay, less than 28 percent silt, and more than 45 percent sand. Here is a soil triangle or texture triangle, which will help you understand soil classification on the basis of silt, sand, and clay content. Soil triangle or texture triangle Major Soil Types Sandy Soil Particle size: 0.05 to 2mm Defining Factors: Large particles Dry and gritty to touch Easily drains water Less water retention Warm and airy Even when wet, easily crumbles through the fingers Lacks essential nutrients Ideal for crops like: Watermelons, Peanuts, and Peaches Ideal for plants like: Tulips, Cistus, and Hibiscus Clay Soil Clay is a general term including many combinations of one or more clay minerals with traces of metal oxides and organic matter.[1] Geologic clay deposits are mostly composed of phyllosilicate minerals containing variable amounts of water trapped in the mineral structure. Particle size: less than 0.002mm Defining Factors: Fine particles Smooth when dry Sticky when wet Retains water Drains poorly Less spaces to let air pass Rich in nutrients Cool and dense Ideal for crops like: Leafy vegetables, Peas, Tomatoes, and Peppers Ideal for plants like: Roses, Heleniums, Asters, and Chaenomeles Silty Soil Particle size: 0.002 to 0.05mm Defining Factors: Tiny particles Slippery when wet Not grainy or rocky Extremely fertile Retains water Easily transported by wind and water Good for agriculture purposes Easily compacted Ideal for crops like: All vegetables and fruits Ideal for plants like: Yellow Iris, Milkweed, and Red Chokeberry Loamy Soil Particle size: Depends on the major component Defining Factors: Well-drained Fertile Mixture of sand, silt and clay Retains water Retains nutrients Strong granular structure Soft and crumbly Easy to work with Well aerated Ideal for crops like: Tomatoes, Carrots, Parsnips, and Potatoes Ideal for plants like: Roses, Amaryllis, Marigolds, and Zinnias Peat Soil Particle size: 0.5 to 1 mm Defining Factors: Dark brown in color Soft and spongy to the touch Contains acidic water Rich in organic matter Retains water Stores nutrients Not fertile Improves soil buffering Well aerated Found in bogs Mixed in soil to improve structure Ideal for plants like: Sphagnum Moss, Ericaceous Shrubs, and Sedges Chalky Soil Particle size: Extremely Fine Defining Factors: Light in color Lime rich soil Stony Severely dry in summers Poor in nutrients Warms quickly in summers Porous Highly alkaline Free-draining Ideal for plants like: Honeysuckle, Jasminum, Rosa, and Geranium Besides the above classification of soil, the next popular classification of soil is according to the pH level of soil. In this classification, soil is either acidic or alkaline, depending on the amount of humus, organic matter, and the underlying bedrock. But, no matter what the type it is, every soil has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 16:00:59 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015