Clay Soil Clay soil is one of the main types of soil, characterized by the presence of clay as one of its components. Clay is a desirable element in agricultural soil because it binds soil particles together. Therefore, clay soil is known for its ability to store and retain water. It is worth mentioning that clay soil is cold and sticky in wet weather, while it becomes dry and cracked in dry weather. One of its disadvantages is that its hardness can impede plant growth and prevent the free movement of air around plant roots. However, it can be improved for agriculture by adding lime, chalk, or other elements such as sodium nitrate.
Silty Soil Silty soil, or loam, consists of rocks and mineral particles that are larger than clay but smaller than sand. It is one of the types of clay soil and is considered loam if its silt content is more than 80%. Silty soil is the most fertile type of soil, making it excellent for growing crops because it allows water to be stored and retained and also permits air to move easily through it.
Sandy Soil Sandy soil is composed of large sand particles, with large pores between the soil particles. This allows water to filter through quickly and air to enter the soil easily, making it difficult for sandy soil to retain water, thus rendering it less suitable for growing certain plants. However, any plant that can survive in dry conditions can be grown in sandy soil, such as cacti and lilies. To improve sandy soil, organic materials such as compost can be added to help retain moisture and nutrients in the soil. It is preferable to add these in small amounts frequently throughout the season rather than in large quantities at once.
Note: The best agricultural soil is a mixture of the three types of soil (sandy, silty, and clay) in varying proportions: 40% silty soil, 40% sandy soil, and 20% clay soil.
Calcareous Soil Calcareous soil is found deep in the earth and is sticky in nature, making it difficult to handle when wet. It has alkaline properties, with a pH of 7.5. This high pH results from low moisture content and high lime content, which can hinder the growth of some plants. To make calcareous soil more suitable for plants, acidic materials such as natural compost can be added to improve water absorption. Calcareous soil can be utilized to grow plants that thrive in alkaline soil, such as lilacs and lilies.
