Soil Texture Flashcards
(14 cards)
refers to the relative proportions of different sized mineral particles in the soil, which influences its physical properties, porosity, water retention and nutrient availability
soil texture
3 components of soil texture
clay, silt, sand
a component of soil texture that is the smallest
clay
diameter of clay
smaller than 0.002 mm
a component of soil texture that is dense and can become compacted and can restrict root growth
clay
a component of soil texture that is smaller than sand but larger than clay
silt
diameter of silt
typically ranging from 0.022 mm to 0..05 mm
a component of soil texture that feels smooth or soapy when wet
silt
a component of soil texture that retains moisture better than sandy soil and has a moderate ability to hold nutrient
silt
a component of soil texture that is the largest
sand
diameter of sand
0.05 mm to 20 mm
a component of soil texture that feels gritty to the touch
sand
a component of soil texture that drains water quickly and does not hold moisture well
sand
a component of soil texture that has low nutrient-holding capacity because it allows water and nutrients to leach away quickly
sand