Soil and Water

By: Samuel Quandova (Grade-7)

Presented to: Mr. Bernadus Suharjo
 Properties of Sand, Loam and Clay

Sand Loam Clay

• Size of particles : large in size, so there are big • Size of particles : medium in size.
• Size of particles : small in size, so there are tiny
air spaces between the particles.
• Compactness: moderately compacted.
air spaces between the particles.

• Compactness: loose or weakly compacted.

• Absorption of water: medium absorption or • Compactness: thight or highly compacted.

• Absorption of water: low absorption or well- moderate absorption.

• Absorption of water: high absorption or poorly-
aerated soil.
• Water drainage: moderate drainage.
aerated soil.

• Water drainage: the fastest and greatest • Retention: moderate retention.

• Water drainage: slowest drainage of water.

drainage of water.
• Retention: highest retention, so it may hold
• Retention of water: the lowest, so it cannot water for a long time.

hold the water for a long time.

Soils in Relation with Water Drainage & Retention
The composition of soils are important for growing crops. Drainage of water and water retention ability are also
important for the survival of crops.

Sand which has big particles and loose compactness, will allow water to pass through them very quickly. But sand
cannot hold the water in a very long time. Sand is less fertile as it is poor in humus or organic matter from remains of
dead plants and animals. Therefore, sand is obviously not suitable for cultivation or growing crops.

On the other side, clay which has small particles and tight compactness, is able to retain water in a very long time.
However, the water drainage ability is very slow compared to sand and loam. Although clay is rich in humus that
making it fertile, but the slow water drainage ability (compared to sand and loam) makes it also not suitable for
cultivation or growing crops.

How about the loam? The loam, has medium drainage of water and medium retention of water. It will allow water to
pass them and at the same time can hold the water in a medium length of time. Loam is also rich in humus just like
clay, making it very fertile. Therefore, loam is the most suitable for cultivation or growing crops.

However, ideal soil like loam is not always provided in all farming areas. Therefore, farmers sometimes treat the soil
to improve the drainage and retention of water by mix more sandy particles into a clay soil so that the water drains
more easily or add more organic matter usually contains in a clay soil to stop it drying out too quickly.