Types of Soil

Table of Contents

• Types of Soil
  • Sandy Soil
  • Silt
  • Clay
  • Loamy Soil
• Summary
• What’s Next?

In the previous segment of the chapter Soil, we learnt about the soil profile. Let us now understand the various types of soil.

What are the types of soil?

There are four different types of soil. They are sandy soil, silt, clay, and loamy soil.

Sandy soil

Sandy soil is soil whose particles are very large in size. Its particles have a lot of space between them due to which, if the water is poured in it, it will not retain the water. Also, they cannot hold minerals. Hence, sandy soil is unfit for the growth of the plants.

Silt

Silt is the next type of soil. Its particles are smaller than the particles of sandy soil. They have less space between them. Thus it can hold water better than sandy soil.

Clay

Clay consists of extremely fine particles. Also, the particles have almost very little space between them. Thus it can hold a lot of water. However, holding too much water can spoil the roots of some plants easily. So it cannot be used in agriculture. But at the same time, clay can be used to make several articles like earthenware and hence can be used by potters. Thus, we can say that clay can be a boon to a potter but it is pretty much useless to a farmer.

Loamy soil

This kind of soil consists of both large and small particles. It also has humus in it due to which it is black in colour. It also contains a lot of minerals and nutrients in it. Such type of soil will hold enough water required for plants while draining the excess. Thus, loamy soil is ideal for agriculture.

Summary

Types of Soil

Features