Soils of the Imperial Valley
Steve Burch
Engineer Tech I / Soil Scientist
Ag Water Science Unit
Ag Water Management Section
(760) 339-9084
Soil Components
•
Mineral Particles (Sand, Silt, Clay)
•
Texture
•
Organic Matter (OM)
•
Pore Space (Air & Water)
•
•
•
Salts
Nutrients / Other Chemical Compounds
Storage Reservoir / Anchor
Soil Texture Triangle
Silt
Soil Structure Types
25% Air
25% Water
50% Soil Solids
Typical air-water-soil proportions of
a typical loam soil at field capacity.
Water height
indicates
suction, and
depends upon
pore radius.
The matrix of a soil holds
water by surface tension, just
like capillary tubes.
Clay colloid with surrounding soil water
and precipitates in the soil water.
Soil Horizons
Ground Surface
Sandy Loam - 1 ft
Clay Loam - 1.5 ft
Clay Loam - 1.5 ft
Sandy Loam - 1 ft
Where Do Soils Come From?
• Formed in Place
• Transported from Elsewhere
• Wind
• Water
• Glaciers
Dealing with Hard/Tough Soils
•
Problem of Soil Physical Properties or Chemistry?
•
Internal soil drainage
• Soil Texture/Structure
• Salinity
•
Add Soil Amendments
• Gypsum
• Sulfur
• Organic Matter
•
REGARDLESS
• Leach
• Leach
Questions?
Thank You