R2102 1.3 Define soil texture and describe associated characteristics

Question 1

Define the term soil texture

Answer 1

The relative quantities of sand, silt and clay in a soil

Question 2

Sand size

Answer 2

2.0-0.06mm

Question 3

Silt size

Answer 3

0.06-0.002mm

Question 4

Clay size

Answer 4

less than 0.002mm

Question 5

Feel of sand dominated soil

Answer 5

Gritty / abrasive

Question 6

Feel of silt dominated soil

Answer 6

silky /soapy

Question 7

Feel of clay dominated soil

Answer 7

sticky

Question 8

What is a loam soil?

Answer 8

Equal parts of sand,silt and clay. Loam is not a particle, it is a description of balanced and desirable type of soil.

Question 9

Types of loam (3)

Answer 9

When wetted you can identify:
1. Grittiness - sandy loam
2. Soapiness - silty loam
3. Stickiness - clay loam

Question 10

Sand / Silt / Clay - drainage / water retention

Answer 10

1. Sand - free draining / poor water retention
2. Silt - moderate drainage / moderate water retention
3. Clay - poor drainage / good water retention

Question 11

Sand / Silt / Clay - speed to warm up in spring

Answer 11

1. Sand - fast
2. Silt - moderate
3. Clay - slow

Question 12

Sand / Silt / Clay - nutrient retention

1

Answer 12

1. Sand - poor
2. Silt - moderate
3. Clay - good

Question 13

Sand / Silt / Clay - electric charge on particles

Answer 13

1. Sand - none
2. Silt - none
3. Clay - negative charge