Usda Soil Textural Triangle
The usda classifies soil types according to a soil texture triangle chart which gives names to various combinations of clay sand and silt.
Usda soil textural triangle. Larger particles will have less surface area per volume of soil. Guide to texture by feel. The textural triangle is a diagram which shows how each of these 12 textures is classified based on the percent of sand silt and clay in each. In the united states twelve major soil texture classifications are defined by the united states department of agriculture.
It is related to weathering and parent material. A common soil science and agricultural tool the soil texture triangle uses the percentages of sand silt and clay in the soil to assign it to one of 12 textural classes. Or download a microsoft excel macro enabled spreadsheet to develop total sand silt and clay low representative and high values using an interactive texture triangle with textures that toggle on and off. The soil texture triangle is one of the tools that soil scientists use to visualize and understand the meaning of soil texture names.
Once the particle size fractions sand silt and clay are measured a textural triangle such as the usda triangle is used to classify the soil. Journal of agronomic education. These percentages are based on the usda definition of sand. Soil texture triangle showing the 12 major textural classes and particle size scales as defined by the usda.
Click here for a high resolution version of the graphic texture class is one of the first things determined when a soil is examined. Use this online tool to calculate a single point texture class based on percent sand silt and clay. Particle size analysis often is used to evaluate soil texture. Including the optional sand fractions will refine the calculation.
The soil triangle is a commonly used visual representation of the possible soil type combinations based on soil particle size.