Determining Texture
Soil Terms
Soil Profiles
Soil Particles and Peds
Variety
100
Soil forms a ball with a 1 cm ribbon and neither smoothness nor grittiness predominates
Loam
100
Voids or openings in the soil.
Pores
100
Also called litter layer, comprised of whole or partially decayed organic matter
O horizon/Organic Matter
100
A ped with 
larger, vertically elongated blocks, often with five sides
Prismatic
100
A layer of soil.
horizon
200
Soil forms a ball with no ribbon.
Loamy sand
200
Decaying animals and plants.
Organic matter
200
Top layer of soil under the O horizon – nutrients, bacteria, fungi, small animals, plant growth
A Horizon/Top Soil
200
2nd smallest soil particle, is associated with soil fertility and the fertile crescent
Silt
200
In what ways does organic matter improve soil quality?
increases soil stability, increases water holding capacity, increases pore space, increases nutrient content
300
Soil does not form a ball
Sand
300
Water moving downward in the soil
Permeability
300
Un-weathered rock layer, deepest layer
R Horizon, Bedrock
300
flat peds that lie horizontally in the soil.
Platy
300
a mixture of different soil particles.
loam
400
Soil forms a ball with a 6cm ribbon and feels very gritty.
Sandy clay
400
The shape in which soil peds are formed.
Structure type
400
Parent material, soft, weathered bedrock. Second deepest layer
C Horizon/Parent Material
400
smallest particle size, highest buffering capacity
Clay
400
Rank the following soil particles from the most permeable to least permeable
Clay, Loam, Pea gravel, Sand, Silt
Pea gravel
Sand
Silt
Loam
Clay
500
Soil sample forms a ball with a 3cm ribbon and feels very smooth.
Silty clay loam
500
How defined or clearly shaped a soil ped is
Structure grade
500
Lighter in color, mostly mineral matter, little organic matter. Found beneath top soil
B horizon/Subsoil
500
This ped is roughly cube-shaped, with more or less flat surfaces.
Blocky
500
Draw a soil profile with all horizons labeled
