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WHAT IS SOIL?

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Soil is the loose surface material that covers most land. It consists of inorganic particles and organic matter. Soil provides the structural support to plants used in agriculture and is also their source of water and nutrients.

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Soil is usually formed when rocks break up into their constituent parts. When a range of different forces acts on the rocks, they break into smaller parts to form the soil. These forces also include the impact of wind, water, and salts’ reaction.

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Various types of soil undergo diverse environmental pressures. Soil is mainly classified by its texture, proportions and different forms of organic and mineral compositions.

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WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOILS?
https://youtu.be/ownoP8e7Tl8

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Soil is classified into four types:

Sandy soil

Silt Soil

Clay Soil

Loamy Soil

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Silt Soil
Silt, which is known to have much smaller particles compared to sandy soil and is made up of rock and other mineral particles, which are smaller than sand and larger than clay. It is the smooth and fine quality of the soil that holds water better than sand. Silt is easily transported by moving currents and it is mainly found near the river, lakes and other water bodies. The silt soil is more fertile compared to the other three types of soil. Therefore, it is also used in agricultural practices to improve soil fertility.

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Sandy Soil
The first type of soil is sand. It consists of small particles of weathered rock. Sandy soils are one of the poorest types of soil for growing plants because it has very low nutrients and poor water holding capacity, which makes it hard for the plant’s roots to absorb water. This type of soil is very good for the drainage system. Sandy soil is usually formed by the breakdown or fragmentation of rocks like granite, limestone and quartz.

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Clay Soil

Clay is the smallest particle among the other two types of soil. The particles in this soil are tightly packed together with each other with very little or no airspace. This soil has very good water storage qualities and makes it hard for moisture and air to penetrate into it. It is very sticky to the touch when wet but smooth when dried.  Clay is the densest and heaviest type of soil which does not drain well or provide space for plant roots to flourish

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Loamy Soil
Loam is the fourth type of soil. It is a combination of sand, silt and clay such that the beneficial properties of each are included. For instance, it has the ability to retain moisture and nutrients; hence, it is more suitable for farming. This soil is also referred to as agricultural soil as it includes an equilibrium of all three types of soil materials, being sandy, clay, and silt, and it also happens to have humus.  Apart from these, it also has higher calcium and pH levels because of its inorganic origins.

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4 Types of Soils: Advantages and Disadvantages

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Advantages of Sandy Soils
1. Warms up quickly in the spring

Disadvantages of Sandy Soils
1.Dries out quickly in the summer
2. Nutrients and water often leech away especially with rainfal
3.Often acidic

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Advantages of Clay Soils
1.Clay soils hold onto nutrients so the plant has the food it needs
2.Great for growing things that need a lot of water

Disadvantages of Clay Soils
1.Holds onto water, slow to drain
2.Slow to warm in the spring
3.Compacts easily
4.Tends to be alkaline

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Advantages of Silty Soils
1.Fertile soils that hold onto nutrients better than sandy soils
2.Better water holding capacity than sandy soils
3.Easier to work with than clay soils

Disadvantages of Silty Soils
1.Water filtration can be poor
2.Has a greater tendency to form a crust
3.Can become compact and hard

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Advantages of Loamy Soils
1.Drought resistant due to water-holding capacity
2.Faster to warm up in the spring, compared to clay
3.Can hold nutrients, making soils fertile
Good infiltration of air and water

Disadvantages of Loamy Soils
1. Depending on how your soil was formed, some loamy soils can contain stones that may affect harvesting of some crops.