How to Improve Loamy Silt-Sandy Soil with Humic Substances
What is the difference between clay and sandy soil?
Gardeners, homeowners, and farmers can benefit from understanding the differences between clay and sandy soil. Knowing the properties of each soil type can help you determine how best to use them on your land. In this blog post, we will discuss what clay and sandy soil are made of, how they affect soil life, nutrient availability, and water retention. We will also discuss the challenges and problems associated with each soil type, and how to improve soil quality with humic substances.
Introduction
Clay soil is made up of very fine particles of clay and silt that are usually formed by the weathering of rocks. Clay soils are held together in a compacted form, but when wet, they become very sticky and nearly impossible to work with. Sandy soil, on the other hand, is made up of large particles of sand, silt, and clay. Sandy soils are much easier to work with than clay soils because they can be easily dug when dry and do not stick together when wet
Soil Life and Nutrient Availability in Clay and Sandy Soils
Sand particles provide good drainage for water and air, so they are not very good at holding organic matter, nutrients, or soil organisms. Because clay soils typically contain more organic matter, they provide food and living conditions for more organisms. These organisms produce and deliver nutrients to plants. Clay soils also typically have a higher pH than sandy soils.
Water Retention
Clay soils are able to hold much more water than sandy soils due to their small particle size. The small particles are able to form a tight structure that holds water within them. This feature can result in a thin wet layer on your field while the root zone is still dry and air flow is interrupted. Sandy soils, on the other hand, do not have a compact structure, so water passes through them quickly, making them less suitable for growing plants that require a lot of water.
Improving Soil Types
Improving any type of soil is possible by adding organic matter, such as compost or manure. Adding organic matter will help create better drainage for both types of soil, as well as provide essential nutrients for plant growth. Adding sand or granulated volcanic rock helps improve the structure of clay soils by breaking up compacted particles and allowing air and water to pass through them more easily. Adding lime to sandy soils increases the pH value, which improves nutrient availability. Mulching prevents wind erosion in sandy soils.
Humic Substances
Humic substances are natural compounds that are found in many soils and can help improve soil quality very quickly. Humic substances bind essential nutrients that plants need to grow, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, trace elements, and amino acids. They also help break down organic matter, which releases more nutrients into the soil for plants to absorb. Adding humic substances to clay or sandy soils can help improve their structure, nutrient availability, water holding capacity, and pH value for better plant growth in the long term.
Conclusion
Clay and sandy soils each have their own unique advantages and disadvantages when it comes to gardening or farming. Knowing their properties and how they differ from each other can help you determine which type of soil is best for your needs. Additionally, adding organic matter such as compost or manure, as well as humic substances, can help improve both types of soil by providing essential nutrients for plant growth.
