Question

Name and describe the properties of the three main components of soil texture.

Short answer

The three main components of soil texture are sand, silt, and clay. Sand is the coarsest and has a gritty texture. It drains well but doesn't hold water or nutrients well. Silt particles are smaller than sand but larger than clay. They have more nutrients compared to sand but less than clay and also retain water well. Clay is the finest. It is dense and holds onto water and nutrients well but can be too hard for roots to move through because of its density.

Step-by-step solution

Identify and describe the properties of sand

Sand is the coarsest component of soil. It consists of small, hard grains. These grains are usually made of quartz, a form of silica. As the particles are quite large, sandy soil has a gritty texture. Furthermore, it has a high drainage capacity which means it doesn't hold water very well, instead the water tends to 'run through' the soil quickly.

Identify and describe the properties of silt

Silt is finer than sand but coarser than clay. It consists of mineral particles which are usually weathered by water and wind. Silt has a floury feel when dry, and is slippery to touch when wet. It has more nutrients compared to sand but less than clay. It retains water better than sand, but it drains slower.

Identify and describe the properties of clay

Clay is the finest of the three soil components. It consists of tiny plate like particles that stick together. Clay is dense and holds onto water really well, which also means it takes longer to drain. It holds nutrients well making it fertile, but its density means it's harder for air and plant roots to move through the soil.