University:
Sam Houston State University
Course:
GEOL 3404 | Mineralogy
Academic year:

2023
Views:

210

Pages:

10
Author:

komolecjm

SOIL PROPERTIES OBJECTIVES    Describe soil by physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. Distinguish among physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. Distinguish between homogenous and heterogeneous mixtures in soil. Objective 1: TERMS TO KNOW: Clay- The smallest soil particle  Sand - The largest soil particle  Silt - An intermediate sized soil particle  Structure - The way individual soil particles are grouped together  Texture - A physical property of the soil referring to the relative percentages of sand, silt, and clay  Objective 1: TERMS TO KNOW: (Cont’d)  Topsoil - The upper part of the soil profile that is  Subsoil - the area in the soil profile below the  Subsoiling - A method of breaking up the compacted  Tillage pan - areas of compacted soil in the plant  Mottling - Spots of color in the soil that indicates normally cultivated topsoil which accumulates clay layers of the soil that restrict air and water movement and root growth using farm machinery zone created by repeated plowing of heavy soils especially when wet; also called a plow pan internal drainage and aeration root Texture   physical property of soil considered rather permanent refers to the relative percentages of the three types of soil particles    Sand Silt Clay Determining Soil Texture  Sensing the feel   It is the varying amount of each soil particle type that gives soil its texture or feel. Mechanical analysis Textural Triangle  used to obtain a soil textural name for a sample after it has been mechanically analyzed Light Soils vs Heavy Soils Light Soils - sandy or coarse texture  Heavy Soils - clay or fine texture  Loamy Soils - medium textured   more desirable characteristics usually associated with highly productive soils that are easier to manage Light Soils vs Heavy Soils When comparing light soils to heavy soils, the light soil will:  require less energy to cultivate  heat and cool faster  usually lighter in color  wet and dry faster  usually subject to greater erosion  usually lower in fertility Four Main Types of Soil Structure Platy - thin horizontal sheets overlapping each other  Prismatic - long vertical columns without rounded tops  Block-like - irregular shaped cubes  Spheroidal - rounded and often referred to as granular or crumb; usually found in the topsoil 

Soil Properties

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