Evaluation should include the description of
- soil texture and its importance, using the soil triangle and mechanical analysis and/or the ribbon or feel test
- proportion of sand, silt, and clay
- water-holding capacity and aeration
- effect of particle size
- specific surface area
- soil pores
- soil permeability and related properties
- soil color
- soil structure and formation
- soil consistency, compaction, and tilth
- soil bulk density
- cation exchange capacity (CEC)
- organic matter
- carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C:N).
Process/Skill Questions:
- What are the soil particles/separates, from smallest to largest?
- What is a soil survey?
- What is soil classification? Why is it important to classify soil? What are the USDA’s six levels of soil classes? What are the twelve soil orders?
- What are the land capability classes and why are they important?
- How can soil color be utilized as an indicator of soil conditions?
- What is the Munsell system?
- What are soil aggregates, peds, and clods and how do they affect soil structure, function, and fertility?
- Why do soils with a pH below 6 result in an increase in aluminum?
- Why is this information important?
- How is a soil triangle used?
- How is the ribbon method used?
- What is the purpose of determining soil texture and soil properties?
- How does soil texture affect its fertility?