4.3 - Soil Composition & Properties

Based on what we now know about porosity, which type of soil particle would be most likely to have water pool up after a long rainstorm?

• Clay 

• Silt

• Sand

Soil layers itself in a very particular order. Which particle size will always be on the bottom?

• Sand

• Silt

• Clay

Find the % of sand, silt, and clay for the point circled in blue

• 30-20-50 sand-silt-clay

• 20-30-50 sand-silt-clay

• 30-50-20 sand-silt-clay

If a soil has high permeability, what can be assumed about the porosity?

• Porosity will also be high

• Porosity will be low

• There is no relationship between porosity and permeability 

Water holding capacity is highest in _________________ soil.

• Sand only 

• Silt and clay mix

• Mostly sand, some silt

• A mix of sand, silt, and clay

Soil that has a pH of 2 (very acidic) will be - 

• High in nutrients

• Low in nutrients

One factor that increases nutrient availability in the soil is ____________________.

• Decreasing of humus

• Removal of clay material

• Erosion of topsoil

• Having a limestone base

One factor that causes soil to lose moisture is by _________________.

• Aeration

• Removal of roots

• Additional root structure

• Addition of compost