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Air Found in pore space of soil Water Found in the pore space of soil
Soil Texture
Soil Texture Relative proportion of sand, silt and clay sized particles in the soil. Soil separates
Sand Clearly visible by the eye Silt Microscope needed to see particle Clay Electron Microscope needed.
Textural Triangle
What is the soil texture of the soil? Answer Silty Clay Loam
Soil Nomenclature
Texture will often define a soils name
Example: Holdrege silt loam Sharpsburg silty clay loam
Soil Structure
Arrangement of soil separates into units called soil aggregates
Separated by planes of weakness Dominated by clay particles Acts like a larger silt or sand particle depending upon its size.
Promotion of Aggregation
Root Growth
Roots excrete compounds used as food by microorganisms Absorb water and dry the soil Cracks form along planes of weakness. Decaying root channels serve as conduits for water that facilitate wetting/drying and freezing and thawing.
Promotion of Aggregation
Addition of organic matter
Crop residue Animal manure Sludge Green manure
Added to the surface, it is critical for the development of granular and crumb structure.
Particle Density
Weight of an individual soil particle per unit volume Expressed in units of grams per cubic centimeter. Average value for particle density is 2.66 grams per cubic centimeter. Water has a density of 1 gram per cubic centimeter Organic matter density of .8 grams per cubic centimeter
Bulk Density
Defined as the dry weight of soil per unit volume of soil Considers both solids and the pore space. Ideal Soil- Dry
solids 0.5 cubic centimeters pore space 0.5 cubic centimeters
Porosity
Refers to the volume of soil voids that can be filled by water and/or air. Inversely related to bulk density. It is calculated as a percentage of soil volume
Bulk Density x 100 = % solid space Particle Density 100% - % Solid Space = Percent Pore Space
Porosity
Loose, porous soils have lower bulk densities and greater porosities than tightly packed soils. It is greater in clayey and organic soils than in sandy soils A large number of small particles in a volume of soil produces a large number of soil pores.
Porosity
Compaction decreases porosity as bulk density increases
Example: If compaction increases bulk density from 1.3 to 1.5 gm/cm3 ,porosity decreases from 50% to 43%.
Pore Size
Pores in the soil come in all sizes Clay soils have predominantly small pores Sand soils have predominantly large pores. Ideal soil is one with an equal number of large and small pores Aeration is needed for the exchange of oxygen from the atmosphere and carbon dioxide given off by plant roots and microorganisms.
Soil Water
Infiltration Movement of water into the soil. Percolation, permeability or hydraulic conductivity Downward movement of water with the soil. Pore space is the conduit that allows water to infiltrate and percolate.
Course textured soils (sand, loamy sands, and sandy loam) have the lowest water holding capacity. Fine textured soils (Clays) have a lot of small pores that hold much water against gravity. Water is held very tightly in the small pores making it difficult for plant to absorb.