Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Appendix 25. Assessing soil texture by feel
Start
Place approximately 25 g soil in palm. Add water
dropwise and knead the soil to break down all
aggregates. Soil is at the proper consistency
when plastic and moldable, like moist putty.
Add dry soil to
soak up water
YES
YES
Does soil remain in a
ball when squeezed
NO
Is soil too dry?
NO
Is soil too wet?
NO
SAND
YES
Place ball of soil between thumb and forefinger gently pushing the
soil with the thumb, squeezing it upward into a ribbon. Form a
ribbon or uniform thickness and width. Allow the ribbon to emerge
and extend over the forefinger, breaking from its own weight.
LOAMY
SAND
Does soil form a ribbon?
NO
YES
Does soil make a weak
ribbon less than 2.5 cm
long before breaking?
Does soil make a medium
ribbon 2.5-5 cm long
before breaking?
Does soil make a strong
ribbon 5 cm or longer
before breaking?
NO
NO
YES
YES
YES
Excessively wet a small pinch of soil in palm and rub with forefinger
Does soil
feel very
gritty?
SANDY
CLAY
LOAM
Does soil
feel very
gritty?
Does soil
feel very
gritty?
SANDY
LOAM
SANDY
CLAY
YES
YES
YES
Does soil
feel very
smooth?
SILTY
CLAY
LOAM
Does soil
feel very
smooth?
Does soil
feel very
smooth?
SILT
LOAM
SILTY
CLAY
YES
YES
YES
Neither
grittiness nor
smoothness
predominates
Neither
grittiness nor
smoothness
predominates
Neither
grittiness nor
smoothness
predominates
CLAY
LOAM
LOAM
YES
YES
CLAY
YES
 
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