» Know-how » Basic agronomy » Soil basics » Soil structure

Soil structure

Soil structure describes the physical configuration of the soil

Soil structure describes the physical configuration of the soil. The sand particles in a sand soil are held together weakly and do not form aggregates, while the clay particles in a clay soil readily form aggregates. These aggregates make clay soil easy to till and improve the transport of air and water.

A sand soil is an example of a single-grained structure

Sand soils are not held together

A sand soil such as this (see image) is an example of a single-grained structure. The grains of sand are relatively large and often only held together weakly. Even sand soils with a higher content of colloids fall apart easily when exposed to pressure in the soil. A sand soil with a low clay content often requires deeper cultivation in order to create a good arable soil and growing site. The low clay content gives the sand soil a low internal structure forming capacity.

Read more
A clay soil such as this is held together and often has an aggregated structure

Clay soils becomes aggregated

A clay soil such as this (see image) is held together and often has an aggregated structure. Even at a content of 5%, the clay has a very strong impact on the soil and dominates its properties.

The aggregated structure is the result of a range of processes in the soil that in combination form aggregates. These structure forming processes affect the soil structure in a dynamic interplay with soil tillage.

Read more
When clay particles are bound together in aggregates, the properties of the soil are almost always improved.

Aggregates improve the soil

When clay particles are bound together in aggregates, the properties of the soil are almost always improved. An important effect is that soil tillage becomes easier. The movement of air is also better, improving the transport of oxygen to and carbon dioxide from the root system. The aggregate structure also improves soil permeability to water and its water-holding capacity. Good soil structure makes an arable clay soil a more productive growing site, since all essential functions for the plant and its root system are provided. This gives faster growth and higher yield.  

Read more

Dictionary:

Aggregated structure = when the primary particles come from the clay particle size group, they are bound to each other and form aggregates that can then be stabilised by organic material, lime and various chemical precipitates

Carbon dioxide = gaseous waste product of cell respiration in the roots that is also the building brick together with water for sugars created by the plant through photosynthesis

Colloid = colloids are the finest particles in the soil, with an average diameter of less than 0.0002mm. The colloids include some organic material and fine clay

Oxygen = element that occurs in air as oxygen gas at a concentration of 21% – vital for cell respiration in plants and their roots

Single-grained structure = in a soil with single-grained structure, the primary particles are held together very weakly or not at all in some form of aggregate

Texture = soil texture refers to the proportions of mineral particles with different average diameter, i.e. the relative proportions of sand, silt and clay in particular according to table "Particle size distribution" in chapter The building blocks of soil

Read more