Soil Texture

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Soil texture

The relative proportion of the mineral particles that make up a soil or the percent of sand, silt , and clay found in a soil. Texture is an important soil characteristic because it influences water infiltration , water storage, amount of aeration , ease of tilling the soil, ability to withstand a load, and soil fertility. Textural names are given to soil based on the percentage of sand, silt, and clay. For example, loam is a soil with equal proportions of sand, silt, and clay. It is best for growing most crops.

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