What are properties of clay soils? Check all that apply?
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Particle Size
Clay has the smallest particle size of any soil type, they can only be viewed by an electron microscope. So, a large quantity of clay particles exist in a relatively small space, without the gaps that would normally be present between larger soil particles. This feature plays a large part in clay's smooth texture, because the individual particles are too small to create a rough surface.
Structure
structure of clay-heavy soil tends to be very dense. The particles typically bond together, creating a mass of clay that can be hard for plant roots to penetrate. This density is responsible for clay-heavy soil being thicker and heavier than other soil types.This density also makes clay soils more resistant to erosion than sand.
Organic Content
Clay contains very little organic material you often need to add amendments if you wish to grow plants in clay-heavy soil. Mineral-heavy clay soils may be alkaline in nature, resulting in the need for additional amendments to balance the soil's pH before planting anything that prefers a neutral pH.
Permeablity and Water-Holding Capacity
One of the problems with clay soil is its slow permeability resulting in a very large water-holding capacity. Because the soil particles are small and close together, it takes water much longer to move through clay soil than it does with other soil types. Clay particles then absorb this water, expanding as they do so and further slowing the flow of water through the soil. This not only prevents water from penetrating deep into the soil but can also damage plant roots as the soil particles expand.
Clay has the smallest particle size of any soil type, they can only be viewed by an electron microscope. So, a large quantity of clay particles exist in a relatively small space, without the gaps that would normally be present between larger soil particles. This feature plays a large part in clay's smooth texture, because the individual particles are too small to create a rough surface.
Structure
structure of clay-heavy soil tends to be very dense. The particles typically bond together, creating a mass of clay that can be hard for plant roots to penetrate. This density is responsible for clay-heavy soil being thicker and heavier than other soil types.This density also makes clay soils more resistant to erosion than sand.
Organic Content
Clay contains very little organic material you often need to add amendments if you wish to grow plants in clay-heavy soil. Mineral-heavy clay soils may be alkaline in nature, resulting in the need for additional amendments to balance the soil's pH before planting anything that prefers a neutral pH.
Permeablity and Water-Holding Capacity
One of the problems with clay soil is its slow permeability resulting in a very large water-holding capacity. Because the soil particles are small and close together, it takes water much longer to move through clay soil than it does with other soil types. Clay particles then absorb this water, expanding as they do so and further slowing the flow of water through the soil. This not only prevents water from penetrating deep into the soil but can also damage plant roots as the soil particles expand.
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