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GLOSSARY OF TERMS COLOR: The color of the soil aggregates. A property which is classified by the Munsell color system. The brown, yellow and red colors indicate oxidized iron and manganese and an aerated or oxygenated soil. The gray and blue colors in soil indicate the reduced forms of iron and manganese. Those colors are typical of waterlogged soils. TEXTURE: The relative proportions of sand, silt and clay in soils. COARSE MEDIUM FINE Sandy Loam Loam Clay Loamy Sand Silt Loam Clay Loam A loam soil is a combination of sand, silt and clay. Loam soils can possess physical properties that are nearly ideal for plant growth. Clay soils tend to be the most dense and hold the most water. Sandy soils tend to have the lowest nutritional status and hold the least amount of water. STRUCTURE: The combination or arrangement of individual soil particles into aggregates, or peds, which are characterized and classified on the basis of size, shape and the degree of distinctness. Single grain - No aggregates, loose soil particles, very easy for roots to penetrate. Blocky - Aggregates are in block shapes. A good structure for root growth. Massive - Soil is one large block. Root growth is limited. Soils are easily waterlogged. CONSISTENCE: A measure of soil workability. It is expressed in terms of the resistance the soil offers to deformation or rupture. The degree of cohesion or adhesion of the soil mass. Friable - Deforms easily, little or no restriction of root growth. Firm - Resists deforming, some root restriction. Hard - Very difficult to deform, root growth very restricted. MOISTURE: A qualitative measure of soil moisture at the time of evaluation. ROOT RESTRICTIONS: Physical restrictions to root growth (eg. hard soil, waterlogged soil). MOTTLES: Spots or blotches of different colors interspersed with the dominant color. Deposits in the soil profile. Mottles in the soil profile can indicate slow water percolation, impeded drainage or waterlogging.