AZ Soils Guide

organic matter

iron

nickel

copper

salt

silicon

clay

iron

40

50

60

70

clay

silt

sand

perlite

clay

silt

sand

perlite

It is measure of the portion of water in the soil that is available to plants

It is measure of all the water in a soil profile

It is measure of water in the soil that is moved down by gravity

It is measure of soil water after a heavy rain or full irrigation run

Soils high in sand

Soils high in loam

Soils high in silt

Soils high in clay

True

False

It determines how fast water drains through soil

It determines how much water a soil can hold and make available to plants

Both written responses

Neither written responses

When rubbed between the thumb and fingers, approximately equal influence of sand, silt and clay is felt. makes a weak ribbon (less than 2.5 cm long)

Silt is the dominant particle in silt loam, which feels quite smooth or floury when rubbed between the thumb and fingers. Weak ribbon (less than 2.5 cm)

Clay dominates, it is smooth when dry and slick/ sticky when wet. Silt and sand are usually present in noticeable amounts, but are over shadowed by clay. Medium ribbon (2.5 to 5 cm long)

Varies from very fine loam to very coarse, Feels quite sandy or gritty, but contains some silt and a small amount of clay. The amount of silt and clay is sufficient to hold the soil together when moist. Weak ribbon (less than 2.5 cm long)

Noticeable amounts of both silt and clay are present Makes a medium ribbon (2.5 to 5 cm long)

When rubbed between the thumb and fingers, approximately equal influence of sand, silt and clay is felt. makes a weak ribbon (less than 2.5 cm long)

Silt is the dominant particle in silt loam, which feels quite smooth or floury when rubbed between the thumb and fingers. Weak ribbon (less than 2.5 cm)

Clay dominates, it is smooth when dry and slick/ sticky when wet. Silt and sand are usually present in noticeable amounts, but are over shadowed by clay. Medium ribbon (2.5 to 5 cm long)

Varies from very fine loam to very coarse, Feels quite sandy or gritty, but contains some silt and a small amount of clay. The amount of silt and clay is sufficient to hold the soil together when moist. Weak ribbon (less than 2.5 cm long)

Noticeable amounts of both silt and clay are present Makes a medium ribbon (2.5 to 5 cm long)

When rubbed between the thumb and fingers, approximately equal influence of sand, silt and clay is felt. makes a weak ribbon (less than 2.5 cm long)

Silt is the dominant particle in silt loam, which feels quite smooth or floury when rubbed between the thumb and fingers. Weak ribbon (less than 2.5 cm)

Clay dominates, it is smooth when dry and slick/ sticky when wet. Silt and sand are usually present in noticeable amounts, but are over shadowed by clay. Medium ribbon (2.5 to 5 cm long)

Varies from very fine loam to very coarse, Feels quite sandy or gritty, but contains some silt and a small amount of clay. The amount of silt and clay is sufficient to hold the soil together when moist. Weak ribbon (less than 2.5 cm long)

Noticeable amounts of both silt and clay are present Makes a medium ribbon (2.5 to 5 cm long)

When rubbed between the thumb and fingers, approximately equal influence of sand, silt and clay is felt. makes a weak ribbon (less than 2.5 cm long)

Silt is the dominant particle in silt loam, which feels quite smooth or floury when rubbed between the thumb and fingers. Weak ribbon (less than 2.5 cm)

Clay dominates, it is smooth when dry and slick/ sticky when wet. Silt and sand are usually present in noticeable amounts, but are over shadowed by clay. Medium ribbon (2.5 to 5 cm long)

Varies from very fine loam to very coarse, Feels quite sandy or gritty, but contains some silt and a small amount of clay. The amount of silt and clay is sufficient to hold the soil together when moist. Weak ribbon (less than 2.5 cm long)

Noticeable amounts of both silt and clay are present Makes a medium ribbon (2.5 to 5 cm long)

Greater than 60 inches

20-40 inches

10-20 inches

40-60 inches

0-10 inches

Greater than 60 inches

20-40 inches

10-20 inches

40-60 inches

0-10 inches

Greater than 60 inches

20-40 inches

10-20 inches

40-60 inches

0-10 inches

Greater than 60 inches

20-40 inches

10-20 inches

40-60 inches

0-10 inches

Greater than 60 inches

20-40 inches

10-20 inches

40-60 inches

0-10 inches

0-1%

1-3%

4-5%

5-8%

8-15%

0-1%

1-3%

4-5%

5-8%

8-15%

0-1%

1-3%

4-5%

5-8%

8-15%

0-1%

1-3%

4-5%

5-8%

8-15%

0-1%

1-3%

4-5%

5-8%

8-15%

suitable for cultivation over a long period of time

subject to occasional over land flow, moderate risk of damage

good for cultivated crops, has severe limitations

clay; wildlife/ range; medium- moderately fine classes

can be cultivated but has severe limitations

suitable for cultivation over a long period of time

subject to occasional over land flow, moderate risk of damage

good for cultivated crops, has severe limitations

clay; wildlife/ range; medium- moderately fine classes

can be cultivated but has severe limitations

suitable for cultivation over a long period of time

subject to occasional over land flow, moderate risk of damage

good for cultivated crops, has severe limitations

clay; wildlife/ range; medium- moderately fine classes

can be cultivated but has severe limitations

suitable for cultivation over a long period of time

subject to occasional over land flow, moderate risk of damage

good for cultivated crops, has severe limitations

clay; wildlife/ range; medium- moderately fine classes

can be cultivated but has severe limitations