Field tests to determine the soil texture

Field tests to determine the soil texture

Moist Ball Test – Compress *moist soil by squeezing it in your hand. If the soil holds together (i.e. forms a ball) when your hand is opened, then test the strength of the ball by tossing it from hand to hand. The more durable the ball, the more clay is in the soil.

Shine Test – Roll *moist soil into a ball and rub once or twice against a hard, smooth object such as a knife blade or a thumbnail. A shine on the rubbed surface indicates clay in the soil. The more it shines, the more clay is in the soil.

Ribbon Test – Roll *moist soil into a long thin shape and then squeeze out between the thumb and forefinger to form the longest and thinnest ribbon possible. The longer the ribbon, the more clay is in the soil. Soils with high silt content will tend to flake rather than ribbon.

Feel Test – Rub *moist to wet soil between the thumb and fingers to assess the percentage of sand (Sand feels gritty). Silt feels smooth and silky like talcum powder but is not sticky.

Sticky Test – Compress *moist to the wet soil between the thumb and forefinger. Note how strongly it adheres to the thumb and forefinger upon release of pressure and how much it stretches. Alternatively, throw it at your partner’s forehead or the truck window. The more it sticks the more clay is in the soil.

Taste Test - A small amount of soil is worked between the front teeth. Sand is distinguished as individual grains which grit sharply against the teeth. Silt particles produce a general fine grittiness, but individual grains cannot be identified. Clay particles have no grittiness.

(* Moist soil feels damp but no visible water is present. A small amount of moisture can be observed on the palm of the hand when a sample is very tightly squeezed and then released. Moist soils can be moulded into shapes like potting clay.)