Structure

What is Soil Structure?

Photo Credit: Steve Culman

The arrangement of soil particles and is affected by aggregates, aggregate stability, organic matter levels, calcium levels versus sodium and magnesium, air to water ratio and temperature.

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Regional Educator ResourcesOther Educator Resources
Title Source Resource type and date Short Summary
Soil Health 101 Soil Health NEXUS Extension Webpage

Jan 2017

The soil structure is made up of the soil profile, bulk density, and aggregates
Soil Structure and Macropores Soilquality.org – NRCS & others Webpage

Sep 2011

Soil structure is the combination or arrangement of primary soil particles into aggregates.
Soil Health Nexus Demonstration How-To: Slump Test Soil Health Nexus How-to video

May 2019

Techniques to measure soil structure and aggregation. The more aggregate stability you have, the more stable your soil. Prevents erosion.

Soil Physical Properties Fact Sheet North Dakota State University Extension Factsheet

Not Dated

Soil physical properties affect the behavior of soil and the functional processes required to meet environmental and human needs
Soil Quality Indicators: Soil Structure & Macropores USDA NRCS Factsheet

Jun 2008

Soil structure is the combination or arrangement of primary soil particles into aggregates.
Soil Particles, Water, and Air SARE Governmental / Extension Webpage

Not Dated

Soil particles are the building blocks of the soil skeleton. But the spaces (pores) between the particles and between aggregates are just as important as the sizes of the particles themselves.
Soil Quality Demonstrations and Procedures USDA-ARS Lesson Plans

Jan 2011

Soil Clod and Scum Tests
Soil Health Assessments: Grass Soil Pit and Row Crop Soil Pit Soil Health Nexus How-to Videos

May 2019

Using soil pits can show many properties of soil. In the video above, Gene Campbell with the NRCS assesses a grass soil pit. In the video below, Travis Harper with University of Missouri Extension assesses a row crop soil pit.

Soil Health Assessment: Soil Core Test Soil Health Nexus How-to Video

May 2019

Todd Lorenz with University of Missouri Extension shows how to use a core sampler instead of a soil pit.

Soil Structure Purdue Soil Health Education website Video
Sep 2017

Short basic educational video showing granular, platy block, prismatic structure.

Soil Formation Purdue Soil Health Education website Video
April 2017

Dr. John Graveel uses soil profiles to discuss soil formation with emphasis on parent material.

Soil Profiles Purdue Soil Health Education website Video
Sep 2017

Dr. John Graveel, Professor of Agronomy at Purdue University discusses differences in soil profiles.

Soil Structure Photo Purdue Soil Health Education website Image
Not Dated
thumbnail image of soil structure from Purdue University
Photo of soil structure
Title Source Resource type and date Short Summary
Building Healthy Soils University of Tennessee Extension Factsheet

Sep 2012

Soil texture is the relative percentage of sand, silt and clay found in soil; structure refers to the way these particles are grouped, or aggregated, together.
Soil Quality Information Penn State Extension Webpage

Aug 2012

Healthy soils yield healthy crops, But what is healthy soil and how do we achieve it?

This page reviewed by Liz Schultheis, Rick Koelsch, Anna Cates, Walt Sell, and Joe Rorick.

Last reviewed 10/1/19