SOIL LAB DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Name: 1. What type of soil do you have? What are the approximate percentages of sand, silt, and clay? 2. Use the soil triangle on page 2 to determine the type of soils with the following particle sizes a. 20% silt, 10% clay, 70% sand b. 30% sand, 10% clay, 60% silt c. 10% silt, 50% sand, 40% clay 3. Soil is made from three main components: clay, silt, and sand. The ideal soil (or loam) has equal amounts of all three, making a fertile soil that is free draining but retains sufficient water and is easy to dig. However, each type of soil has its own advantages as well as disadvantages and different varieties of plants are suited to different soils. Do you think your soil sample is well-suited for plant growth? Why or why not? 4. What type of soil on the soil triangle might have the fastest infiltration or percolation rate? Why? 5. Why is the percolation rate (how quickly water flows through the soil) and porosity (space in between soil particles) important considerations for plant growth? 6. How is soil different than rock or sediment?
