Horizon Properties

Soil Consistence

Soil Science Basics

Soil & the Environment

Working with soil

Soil & Students

Soil & Agriculture

Take a ped from the top soil horizon. If the soil is very dry, moisten the face of the profile using a water bottle with a squirt top and then remove a ped to determine consistence.

(Repeat this procedure for each horizon in your profile.)

Holding it between your thumb and forefinger, gently squeeze the ped until it pops or falls apart. Record one of the following categories of soil consistence on the data sheet.

spraying sample

loose soil in hand

Loose

You have trouble picking out a single ped and the structure falls apart before you handle it.*

* Soils with "single grained" structure always have loose consistence.

hand popping soil ped

Friable

The ped breaks with a small amount of pressure.

hand squeezing soil ped

Firm

The ped breaks when you apply a good amount of pressure and dents your fingers before it breaks.

hammer breaking soil ped

Extremely Firm

The ped can't be crushed with your fingers (you need a hammer!).

If you wish download the protocol above so that you can use it in the field, here are pict files soil texture page 2.

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Last Updated: September 13, 2001