Sponsor Area

Geomorphic Processes

Question
CBSEENGE11010539

Describe the physical attributes of soils.

Solution
The physical attributes of the soil are -texture, structure, colour and capacity to hold water.

Soil Texture : It refers to the particle sizes comprising the soil. The particles are classified as gravel, sand, silt and clay in decreasing order of size. Four texture types are recognised. These are : (i) sand; (ii) sand-loam; (iii) loam; and (iv) clay. All the texture types are combinations of different sizes of particles. Soil texture determines the water carrying capacity of the soils.

Soil Structure : It refers to the arrangement in which soil grains are grouped together into large pieces. Major types of structures are —bulky, granular, columnar, prismatic, crumb and platy. Soil structure influences the absorption of water by the soil, its erodibility and ploughing.
Which are the physical attributes of soils ?

 

Soil Colour : It indicates the origin and composition of the soil. Increasing quantities of humus produce a range from white, brown to black. The presence of iron oxides and hydroxides gives it red and yellow colours.

Water Carrying Capacity : It refers to the capacity of the soil to absorb water from rain as well as from air and its capacity, to hold it.