Which soil is typically fertile and generally contains a balanced mix of sand, silt and clay?

Which soil is typically fertile and generally contains a balanced mix of sand, silt and clay?

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

Answer: (B)

Loam is a balanced soil texture with a mix of sand, silt and clay that makes it fertile. The sand provides drainage and air spaces, the silt adds water-holding capacity and nutrients, and the clay helps retain nutrients and moisture while still allowing a crumbly structure. This combination creates good porosity and a stable soil that roots can penetrate easily and microbes can thrive in. Because of that balance, loam supports steady plant growth better than soils that are mostly sand (drains too quickly) or mostly clay (can compact and drain poorly).

Loam is a balanced soil texture with a mix of sand, silt and clay that makes it fertile. The sand provides drainage and air spaces, the silt adds water-holding capacity and nutrients, and the clay helps retain nutrients and moisture while still allowing a crumbly structure. This combination creates good porosity and a stable soil that roots can penetrate easily and microbes can thrive in. Because of that balance, loam supports steady plant growth better than soils that are mostly sand (drains too quickly) or mostly clay (can compact and drain poorly).