PHYSICAL

CHARACTERISTICS
AND LAYERS OF SOIL
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
COLOR
• One of the most easily defined and useful characteristics of soil and
has a little indirect influence on the function of soil.

1.
ORGANIC
MATTER
•2.

OXIDES
OF IRON
MANGANESE
OXIDE
 QUARTZ,
KAOLIN,
GYPSUM AND
CARBONATES
OF CALCIUM
AND
MAGNESIUM
POORLY
DRAINED
Munsell Soil Color Chart
SOIL TEXTURE
• Proportion of different-sized soil particles. This is partly inherited
from parent material and partly a result of the soil forming process.
• Particles are classified on the basis of the ff:

• 1.) Gravel
• 2.) Sand
• 3.) Silt
• 4.) Clay
SOIL DEPTH
• Varies across the landscapes depending on slope, weathering,
parent materials, and vegetation.

1.) GRASSLAND
• 2.) BOTTOM OF SLOPES
• 3.) RIDGETOPS and STEEP SLOPES
LAYERS OF SOIL