Soil structures

 Soil structure

 Is the way in which individual soil profile are arranged in relation to one another. The soil structure is classified on both soil grain shape and size. Structure can be as granular, blocky, prismar, columnar, platy or single-grained.

The major classes of soil structures

  • Granular: resembles cookie crumbs and is usually less than 0.5 cm in diameter. Commonly found in surface horizons where roots have been growing. 
  • Blocky: irregular blocks that are usually 1.5 - 0.5 cm in diameter. 
  • Prismatic: vertical columns of soil that might be a number of cm long. Usually found in lower horizons.
  • Platy: thin, fat plates of soil that lie horizontally. Usually found in compacted soil.
  • Single-grained: soil is broken into individual particles that do not stick together. Always accompanies a loose consistence.

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