Exploring Soil's Physical Properties

Texture = Determined by the amount of sand, silt, and clay in a soil sample Structure = The arrangement of soil particles in the soil itself Porosity = The term for the pore space within an aggregate Chemistry and colour = Physical properties measured by different-sized minerals in a soil sample

Gravel = Coarse sand Fine sand = Silt Silt = Clay Clay = Humus

Soil sieve = Used to calculate the percentage of sand, silt, and clay in a soil sample Sedimentation = Another method to calculate the percentage of sand, silt, and clay in a soil sample Soil triangle = Utilized to determine the soil texture based on percentage of sand, silt, and clay Aggregate = When silt, sand, and clay are held together by colloidal particles

<p>Micro-pore = Pore space within an aggregate, whether it's different in the units of aggregate Flocculation = The process of colloidal particles holding silt, sand, and clay together Parent rock material = Broken down into mineral particles, forming the basis of soil mineral matter Humus = Result of the breakdown of dead plants and animals when they decompose</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Texture = Determines the amount of drainage available to the soil Porosity = Affects the ability of soil to hold and transmit water and air Organic matter = Improves soil structure and water-holding capacity Colour = Can indicate the presence of certain minerals or organic matter in the soil</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Soil Texture = Determining soil type by rolling it into a ball Soil Structure = Necessary for drainage, air movement, and root growth Soil Cementation = Binding of soil particles Soil Porosity = Amount of soil pores and their content</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Flocculation = Formation of negative charges on soil colloids leading to cation absorption and linking of colloids Separation = Breaking of aggregates in soil leading to crack formation Diffusion = Movement of oxygen and carbon in soil air due to root and earthworm activity Aeration = Improvement of soil air content through methods like avoiding poaching and adding farmyard manure</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Large pores in sandy soil = Causing drought in good weather Small pores in clay soil = Causing waterlogging Soil color = Dark in high humus content, red as a sign of leeching Soil temperature = Critical for crop growth, warmer soils promote easier and faster growth</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Avoiding poaching of the land = Helping soil aeration Adding farmyard manure = Increasing earthworm activity Adding lime = Aiding soil aeration Increasing soil porosity = Improving drainage and water retention for plant growth</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Soil air = Containing less oxygen and more carbon due to root and earthworm activity Soil water = Needing large pores for drainage and small pores for water retention Soil color = Dark in high sunlight areas, light in low nutrient areas Soil temperature = Influencing crop growth, warmer soils promoting easier and faster growth</p> Signup and view all the answers