What soil type is a mixture of sand, silt and clay, providing good structure?

What soil type is a mixture of sand, silt and clay, providing good structure?

• A. Silt
• B. Loam
• C. Sand
• D. Clay

Answer: (B)

Loam is the soil that combines sand, silt and clay in balanced amounts. This mix forms a crumbly, well-aggregated structure that lets air and water move through the soil while still holding onto enough moisture and nutrients for plants. The sand provides drainage and aeration, while the silt and clay help retain water and nutrients, giving a stable, workable soil that resists erosion. Pure sand drains too quickly and lacks nutrients, clay can be heavy and poorly drained, and silt can compact easily; none of these provide the balanced structure loam does.

Loam is the soil that combines sand, silt and clay in balanced amounts. This mix forms a crumbly, well-aggregated structure that lets air and water move through the soil while still holding onto enough moisture and nutrients for plants. The sand provides drainage and aeration, while the silt and clay help retain water and nutrients, giving a stable, workable soil that resists erosion. Pure sand drains too quickly and lacks nutrients, clay can be heavy and poorly drained, and silt can compact easily; none of these provide the balanced structure loam does.