Soil structure

▪ By the end of this unit, the students should be able to:

▪ Define soil structure
▪ Outline the importance of soil structure
▪ Causes of soil structure
▪ Describe the classification of soil structure
▪ Outline factors affecting soil structure
▪ Explain in detail how to improve the soil structure

Phasha MG
▪ While the term texture applies to the size grading of the soil particles, structure describes
the mutual arrangement of the soil particles.
▪ Definition: the structure of soils refers to the aggregations or grouping together of primary
soil particles (sand, silt and clay) in secondary (peds, clods or lumps) which can be
distinguished from other aggregates by levels of weakness.
▪ Aggregation is the result of the interaction of soil particles through rearrangement,
flocculation, and cementation.
▪ The forces keeping these aggregates together thus appear to be internal. An individual
aggregate or clod is called a ped.
▪ They are cemented or bound together by physical, chemical, and biological processes.
▪ All of the soil-forming factors, especially climate, influence the type of structure that
develops at each depth.
▪ Peds are made up of mineral particles (clay, silt, sand) and organic matter.
▪ Peds are held together by the electrical charges on the surfaces of the minerals and
organic matter.
▪ Although clay particles are small, they have large surface areas. For example the
surface on the clay in a teaspoon of black cracking clay soil is equal to the surface area
of a tennis court.
▪ Such clays and soils with a lot of organic matter are more likely to form strong peds.
Sandy soils or soils with little organic matter often have little or no ped development.
▪ Peds are described by their shape—for example: blocky, columnar, massive, single
grain or platy.
▪ To perform effectively as a growing medium soils need an open structure through the
soil profile.
▪ A good soil structure is important to allow air and water into the soil which are vital for
healthy plant growth.
▪ It will improve drainage and reduce soil erosion caused by excess surface run-off.
▪ Without structure, soils will suffer from anaerobism, waterlogging and nutrient lock-up
and, ultimately, plants will die!
▪ Well-structured soils, are usually crumbly and friable and have plenty of pore space to
allow water and air movement and healthy root development.
 ▪ Soil structure influences the amount and nature of
porosity.
▪ Structure controls the amount of water and air
present in the soil.
▪ It affects tillage practices.

IMPORTANCE ▪ Structure controls runoff and erosion.

OF SOIL ▪ Platy structure normally hinders free drainage

whereas sphere like structure (granular and
STRUCTURE crumby) helps in drainage.
▪ Crumby and granular structure provides optimum
infiltration, water holding capacity, aeration and
drainage. It also provides good habitat for
microorganisms and supply of nutrients.
 ▪ high in organic matter
▪ stable
▪ not compacted
▪ well drained

Phasha MG
 There are three methods for
classifying structure, namely:

Type,
CLASSIFICATION
OF STRUCTURE
Degree,

and Size.
▪ There are four main types of structure. Three of which are
sub divided into subtypes.
▪ Spherical: particles are arranged at a uniform distance
around a point and are boarded by curves and very uneven
levels which do not fit in which the adjoining peds
▪ Platy- particles are arranged around a flat level, usually
horizontally
▪ Blocky- particles are arranged at a uniform distance around
a point and are boarded by peds which fit into the shape of
the surrounding peds.
▪ Prismatic- particles are arranged around a vertical line and
surrounding peds fit into the shape of the ped.
▪ The degree of structure refers to the degree of aggregation
or the strength with which the peds are joined.
▪ The following terms apply in respect of the degree of structure:
▪ Structureless or apedal
▪ Poorly developed
▪ Moderately developed
▪ Strongly developed
▪ The following sizes are distinguished in each of
the types of structural classes:
▪ Very thin or fine
▪ Thin or fine
▪ Medium
▪ Coarse or thick
▪ Very coarse or thick
 ▪ Soil profile
▪ Description

▪ Granular and crumb structure are usually located at

the soil surface in the A horizon.
▪ The subsoil, predominantly the B horizon, has
subangular blocky, blocky, columnar or prismatic
structure.
▪ Platy structure can be found in the surface or subsoil
while single grain and structureless structure are
most often associated with the C horizon.

Phasha MG
Compaction

Cultivation

Removal of vegetation

Excessive moving and handling of soil

Excessive sodium
▪ Climate
▪ Organic matter
▪ Tillage
▪ Plants, Roots and Residues
▪ Animals
▪ Wetting and drying
▪ Porosity: Porosity of a soil is easily changed. In plate like structure, pore spaces are less
whereas in crumby structure pore spaces are more.
▪ Temperature: Crumby structure provides good aeration and percolation of water in the
soil. Thus these characteristics help in keeping optimum temperature in comparison to
plate like structure.
▪ Density: Bulk density varies with the total pore space present in the soil. Structure chiefly
influences pore spaces Platy structure with less total pore spaces has high bulk density
whereas crumby structure with more total pore spaces has low bulk density.
▪ Consistence: Consistence of soil also depends on structure. Plate-like structure exhibits
strong plasticity.
▪ Colour: Bluish and greenish colors of soil are generally due to poor drainage of soil. Platy
structure normally hinders free drainage.
▪ Application of manure or organic matter can improve the soil structure by
promoting the aggregation of soil particles.
▪ Reducing or eliminating tillage and cultivation in cropping and pasture activities;
▪ Avoiding soil disturbance during periods of excessive dry or wet when soils may
accordingly tend to shatter or smear; and
▪ Ensuring sufficient ground cover to protect the soil from raindrop impact.
▪ In irrigated agriculture, it may be recommended to: apply gypsum (calcium
sulfate) to displace sodium cations with calcium and so reduce ESP or sodicity,
avoid rapid wetting, and avoid disturbing soils when too wet or dry.
▪ State four importance of soil structure.
▪ State three methods used for classifying soil structure.
▪ Describe two ways in which soil structure can be improved.
▪ How do you improve the soil structure?
▪ What are the effect of soil structure on the physical properties