The document describes two methods for determining soil texture in the field: 1. The "feel method" involves moistening soil and examining its properties like stickiness, graininess, and ribbon formation to estimate clay, sand, and silt content. 2. The "runoff method" involves saturating soil with water and counting how many rinses are needed until the runoff is clear to estimate total silt and clay content. Results from both methods can be used to classify the soil sample on a texture triangle.

2. métodos. “r ápidos ”(a campo) para deteminar texturas en muestras de suelos Actividad en el Lab (45 minutes) Objectivos Que el estudiante determine los % de arena - limo y arcilla de muestras de suelos proporcionadas, mediante métodos rápidos “a campo” Los estudiantes usarán el triángulo de Texturas , para establecer la correcta clase textural de la muestra Materiales/ grupo Muestras de suelos Agua – rociador Triángulo de texturas Toallas de papel para el clean -up

3. 1. Poner aprox. 2 cucharadas soperas de suelo en su mano Classifying Soil Samples Test A: Soil texture by feel

4. 2. Ir humedeciendo gradualmente con pequeñas porciones de agua hasta until it is completely moistened and putty-like. No utilice demasiada agua! Classifying Soil Samples

5. 3. Cuando todo esté húmedo , trate de formar una bola: si se siente “pegajoso”. Ud. Tiene alta proporción de arcillas en su suelo When all of the soil is moist, try forming a ball. If the soil feels sticky , you have a significant percentage of clay in your soil. Classifying Soil Samples

6. 4. Usando su pulgar trate de aplanar el suel: si se siente granuloso y/o obsserva los granos de arena, Ud. Tendrá un significativo % de arena en su suelo Smooth out your soil ball using your thumb. Feel the flattened ball with your thumb. If it feels grainy and/or if you can see individual sand grains, you have a significant percentage of sand in your soil. Classifying Soil Samples

7. 5. Make a “ribbon” out of your soil. This is done by flattening the soil to the thickness of 2-3 quarters (U.S. 25-cent coins), maintaining the width of a quarter as well. Squeezing the soil between your thumb and forefinger is the easiest way to make the ribbon. How long your ribbon gets before it breaks will give you a clue about the soil separates contained within . Classifying Soil Samples Note cuál es el largo de la cinta antes de que se produzca la rotura how many inches long your ribbon gets before it breaks.

9. Classifying Soil Samples Test B: Soil texture by runoff method 1. Place approximately two tablespoons of soil in your hand

10. 2. Use the water squeeze bottle to saturate (completely wet) the soil. Classifying Soil Samples

11. 3. Tilt your hand and allow any excess water to run off. Notice the color of this runoff. If it appears “dirty”, then soil sediment is contained within the water. Classifying Soil Samples

12. 4. Rinse the soil again and look at the runoff. Rinse as many times as you need to before the water becomes clear. Classifying Soil Samples

13. Count the number of times that the runoff contained sediment (appeared dirty). Multiply this number times 3%. Classifying Soil Samples

14. Example: If the water contained sediment (appeared dirty) ten times before it ran clear, you would multiply 10 x 3% = 30%. This number represents the combined percentage of silt and clay in your sample. The sample contains approximately 15% each (30% total) of silt and clay. Classifying Soil Samples

15. In this example, the sand percentage would be approximately 70%, silt would be 15% and clay would be 15%. Using the texture triangle, we would classify this soil sample as Sandy Loam. (70% sand, 15% silt, 15% clay) Classifying Soil Samples

16. When using any field technique, it’s best to ROUND OFF to the nearest 5%. Remember, your three percentages (sand %, silt %, clay %) are based upon an EDUCATED ESTIMATE. Classifying Soil Samples