Soil structure
• Soil structure: is the way soil particles bind
together into large units called soil aggregates.
• When soil particles group together , the form
structural units or aggregates.
• They are held together by electrostatic force.
• Structural units are formed by swelling and
shrinking of clay and by the action of humus
colloid.
Types of soil structure
• Platy – lie in horizontal plates
• Occurs in clay soil, compacted soil
• Water and movement is limited
• It is not suitable for crops.
Platy structure
• .
• Platy – structure peds
are thin , flat , and plate
like. It is commonly
found in compacted
soil.
Blocky Structure:
• Blocky – has shaped
structure with sharp
angles and they are
found mostly in B-
horizon.
• Prismatic/columnar –
occurs in the subsoil
horizons in arid and
semi-arid regions.
Crumb structure
• Granular/crumb/
spheroid- commonly
found in surface
horizon.
• Suitable for crops
Amorphous structure
• Amorphous/single
grain/massive- found in
dune sands and in pot
clay.
Factors influencing the development and
stability of soil structure.
• Colloidal matter in the soil.
• The type of clay mineral.
• Climate.
• Alternating moisture and drought.
• Plant roots.
• Soil texture
• Activity of soil mycorrhizae.
• Organic matter content
• Cultivation
• Soil compaction
• The freezing
Factors that destroy soil structure.
• Flood irrigation
• Rain drops
• Ploughing
• Excessive cultivation
• Tilling when the soil is too wet or dry.
• Removal of plant residues
• Overgrazing
Methods to improve poor structure
• Add organic matter to the soil.
• Dig the soil to reduce compaction.
• Avoid rapid wetting or drying
• Avoid flood / furrow irrigation
• Avoid dip ripping machines.
Advantages of good soil structure.
• Prevents soil compaction
• Prevents soil crusting
• Prevents soil erosion
• Prevents salts imbalance
• Limits the effect of drought or excessive wetness and
anaerobiosis.
• Reduced mechanical damage.
• Improves biological activities
• Greater water infiltration
• Improved root penetration
Test yourself
1. Study the diagrams below and answer the
questions that follows:
Questions
1.
1.1. Indicate the structural types of soil labelled as B.
1.2. Indicate the letter representing the most suitable structural type for crop
production.
1.3. Justify your answer in 1.2 by stating FIVE advantages of good soil structure.
2.
2.1. What is the definition of soil structure?
2.2. What separates aggregates from one another?
2.3. Explain the formation of peds.
2.4. Name five factors that play a role in the development of soil structure.
2.5. Which one of the primary structure types is the most desirable for agricultural
purposes?
2.6. In which soil horizon is the structure type found in Question 2.5?
2.7 Motivate the desirability of structure type identified in Question 2.5.
2.8. Explain the influence of plant roots on the development of soil structure.
Questions cont…
3. Read the following passage and answer the
questions that follow:
Questions ending
3.1. Suggest FOUR consequences of tilling wet soil.
3.2 Indicate TWO clay properties which may influence the
behaviour of soil cultivated in a wet condition.
3.3 Indicate TWO organisms found in soils prepared when
the soil is in a wet condition.