SoilSci21  Sequum (sequa) – is a B horizon

together with any overlying eluvial

Clinel (1949) - the purpose of soil classification
horizons.
is to organize our knowledge of soil properties
 A single sequum is considered to be a
so that they will be easily remembered and their
relationship will be easily understood for product of specific combination of soil
specific objectives. forming process.
 Bisequa – soil in which two sequa have
Terms used in Describing Soil Soils Profile formed, one above the other in the
same deposit.
 Layer – is used if all of the properties
are believed to be inherited from the Plant Classification Soil Classification
parent material or no judgement is made Phylum Order
as to weather, the layer is genetic. Class Suborder
 Solum (Sola) – a soil consists of a set of Subclass Great Group
horizons that are related through the Order Subgroup
same cycle of pedogenic process. Family Family
- Consists of all horizons. Genus Series
- Does not include buried soil unless Species Phase
it has acquired some of its properties
by currently active soil-forming
process. Levels or Categories of soil Classification
- Does not necessary confined to the
1. Order – highest category, based largely
zone of major biological activity
on morphology, soil genesis is an
- Does not have a max. or min.
underlying factor
thickness
- 2. Suborder – basis of classification is the
presence or absence of soil regime,
Pedogenic Process: major parent material and effects of
vegetation.
- Weathering
3. Great Group – considered similarities in
- Addition of OM
kind, arrangement and degree of
- Leaching
expression of horizons.
- Soil texture and structure formation
4. Subgroup – uses the central concept
Soil and Solum are not synonymous taxa for great group and properties
indicating integradations to other great
Some soil may include layers that are not groups, suborders and orders.
affected by soil formation. These layers are not 5. Family – differentiated according to
part of solum.
properties important to plant growth.
A soil that consists only of recently deposited 6. Series – lowest category and based on
alluvium and recently exposed sediment does the kind and arrangement of horizons,
not have a solum. color, texture, structure, consistence
and reaction of horizons and chemical
and mineralogical properties.
 Name Formative FE
element pronunciation Description of 12 Soil Order
Derivation
Entisol Nonsense Recent with thick E and red Bhs-ochric and
symbol spodic.
Vertisol L. verto, turn Invert 7. Alfisol (ALF) – argillic B horizon w/ high
Inceptisol L. inceptum, Inception base saturation. Fertile forested (>34%)
beginning soil with ochric and orgillic, high base
Aridisol L. aridus, dry Arid
saturation.
Mollisol L. mollis, soft Mollify
8. Utisol (ULT) – the B horizon has high
Spodosol Gk. Spodas, Podzol; odd
wood ash amount of clay but low base saturation
Alfisol Nonsense Pedalfer (>35%). Soils are more weathered than
symbol Alfisols, orhric and argillic. Redder and
utisol L. ultimus, last Ultimate more acid than alfisols.
oxisol F. oxide, oxide Oxide 9. Oxisol (OX) – highly weathered soil w/ B
histisol Gk. Hitos, histology horizon containing mainly 1:1 (kaolinite)
tissue clay, low pH, soil of the tropic.
10. Histisol (IST) – includes the organic soil
have developed in a water saturated
1. Entisol – very young soil showing very
environment. Peat soil.
limited profile.
o PEAT- underdecomposed to
2. Vertisol (ERT) – shows large cracks
slightly decomposed OM in
upon drying due to dominance of
waterlogged areas.
montmorillonite, high clay content,
11. Andisol (AND) – soil from volcanic
large shrink swell potential, gradually
ejecta (ash, pumice, cinder, basalt); very
invert on themselves.
light, low bulk density, high P fixing
3. Inceptisols (EPT)– young soil with
capacity.
moderate profile development, little or
12. Gelisol (EL) – new order as of 1998, soils
no illuvination.
with permafrost (formerly Cryochrepts
4. Aridisol (ID) – limited change on parent
or frozen Inceptisols). Soils forms in cool
material due to dryness. Arid region in
climate (pergelic temp regime).
the world (19%), <10 in of rainfall
usually contain carbonates. NaCl Salt
Description of Diagnostic horizons used
accumulates in surface and subsurface.
for Differentiating or classifying soil
5. Mollisol (OLL) – dark surface due to
order level
high organic matter.
 Epipedon – upper horizon not
6. Spodosol (OD) – subsoil has
necessarily the A horizon only but may
accumulation of Fe and Al oxides,
include B or part of B horizon.
humus and amorphous clay. Acid soil
 1. Mollic (L.mollis, soft) – horizon is 6. Cambric – slightly altered layers, not
soft, dark, friable, high in OM weathered enough to be argilic. (less
content and base saturated is >50%. develop)
Thick is greater than 10in. 7. Sombric – light colored, low % BS and
2. Umbric (L. umbra, shade) – like well drained.
mollic epipedon being dark in color 8. Placic (Gk. Plax,flat stone) – a thin black
but the base saturation is <50% to dark reddish pan cemented by Fe, Fe
(low base saturation). and Mg or Fe-organic matter complex.
3. Ochic (L.ochros, pale) – light in 9. Duripan (L. durus, hard) – subsoil
color, has very low OM content and cemented by silica.
horizon is very thin. 10. Fragipan (L. fragis, brittle) – subsoil
4. Histic (Gk. Histos, tissue) – contains that is hard when dry and brittle when
20-30% OM. moist.
5. Anthropic – has also the 11. Albic (L. albus, white) – light colored
characteristics of mollic epipedon subsoil from where clay and free iron
except that it contains more than oxide have been leached out.
250ppm of citric acid soluble P2O5. 12. Calcic – accumulation of CaCO3 or
6. Plaggen (Gk. Sod or grass roots) – CaMg (CO3).
manmade surface horizon that is 13. Grypsic – accumulation of gypsum.
>50% cm thick created by many 14. Petrocalcic – cemented by CaCO3.
years of addition of manure.
Classification of the Soil into Suborders
 Subsoil – lower horizon (Subsurface)
1. Argillic (L. argilla, white clay) - has  The 10 soil suborders are subdivided by
higher clay content (atleast 1.2 times) grouping soil according to genetic
than the horizon above. homogeneity. There are 47 suborders
2. Argic (L.ager,field) – has accumulation according to wetness or dryness and
of clay and humus to the extent of 15% genetic differences.
of the soil volume.
3. Natric (L.natrium, sodium) – an argillic Formative Elements for names of
horizon w/ sodium saturation of the suborders and their meanings
CEC >15%.
1. Alb (L.albus, white) – presence of
4. Spodic (Gk. Spodos, wood ash) – has an
albic horizon.
accumulation of free iron oxides of Al &
2. And (from Ando-like) – dark
Fe and OM, red or dark color, only
colored soil, high in OM and
found in acid sandy soils w/ high
developed from volcanic ash
rainfall, generally found below E
deposits.
horizon.
3. Aqu (aqua, water) – aquic moisture
5. Oxic – contains high amount of 1:1 clay
regime, characteristics associated
and sesquioxides. Very weathered layer
with wetness.
of only Fe & Al, low pH & dio not very
4. Ar (arare, to plow) – mixed
fertile. (found in tropical soils)
horizons.
 5. Arg (argilla, white clay) – presence Fluvent
of argillic horizon. Orthent
6. Bor (boreas, northern) – cool Psamment
7. Ferr (ferrum, iron) – presence of Vertisol Torrent
Udert
iron.
Ustert
8. Fibr (fibra, fiber) – least Xerert
decomposed stage. Inceptisol Ardept
9. Fluv (fluvius, river) – flood plains Aquent
10. Hem (hemi, half) – intermediate Ochrept
stage of decomposition. Plaggept
11. Hum (humus, earth) – presence of Tropept
Umbrept
OM.
Aridisol Argrid
12. Lept (leptos, thin) – thin horizon Orthid
13. Ochr (ochros, pale) – presence of Spodosol Aquod
Ochric epipedon. Ferrod
14. Orth (orthos, true) – the common Humod
ones. Orthod
15. Plag (plaggen, sod) – presence of Mollisol Alboll
Aquoll
plaggen epipedon.
Boroll
16. Psamm (psammos, sand) – sand Rendoll
texture Udoll
17. Rend (rendzina) – high carbonate Ustoll
content. Xeroll
18. Sapr (sapros, rotten) – most Histisol Fibrists
decomposed stage. Hemists
Saprist
19. Torr (torridus, hot & dry) – usually
Folists
dry.
Alfisol Aqualf
20. Trop (tropikos, the solstice) – Boralf
continually warm. Udalf
21. Ud (L. undus, humid) – of humid Ustalf
climate. Xeralf
22. Umbr (L. umbra, shade) – presence Ustisol Aquult
Humult
of umbric epipedon, e.i. dark color
Udult
or dark surface.
Ustult
23. Ust (L. ustus, burnt) - of dry Xerult
climates, usually hot in summer Oxisol Aquox
24. Xer (Gk. Xeros, dry) – annual dry Humox
season. Orthox
Torrox
Order Suborder Ustox
Entisol Aquent
Arent
Classification of the soil into Great groups Argillic Minimum Old
Horizon Horizon Developme
 Formative Elements for names of great nt
groups and their connotation Mollisols
Aquoll Argiaquoll Haplaquoll ------
Formative Connotation (wet)
Element Udoll Argiudoll hapludoll paleudoll
frag Fragipan (moist)
fragloss See frag and gloss Ustoll Argiustoll Haplustoll paleustoll
gibbs Gibbsite (dry)
gloss Tongued Xeroll Argixeroll haplxeroll palexeroll
hal Salty (very dry)
hapl Minimum horizon Alfisols
hum Humus Aqualfs ------ ------- ------
hydr Water udalfs argudalf hapludalf paleudalf
luo, lu Illuvial Ustalfs ------ haplustalf paleustalf
moll Mollic epipedon xeralfs ------- haploxeralf paleseralf
nadur See natr and dur Ultisols
natr Natric horizon Aqults ------- -------- -------
ochr Ochric epipedon Udults ------- Hapludult Paleudult
pale Old development Ustults ------- Haplustult Paleustult
pell Low chroma Xerults ------- haploxerult palexerult
plac Thin pan
plag Plaggen horizon
plinth Plinthite Classification of Soils into SUBGROUP
quartz High quartz
rend Rendzina-like  Subdivision of great group
rhod Dark-red-color  Soils are differentiated according to the
sal Salic horizon properties that are typical of the group
sider Free iron oxides (typic) or transition to other groups
sphagno Sphagnum moss
 3 kinds of subgroups are: typic,
torr Usually dry
intergrades, and extragrades.
trop Continually warm
ud Humid climates  EX: Order alfisol -> suborder -> great
Umbr Umbric epipedon group fragiudalf -> subgroup is typic
ust Dry climate, usually fragiudalf
not in summer
verm Wormy, or mixed by Classification of Soils into Family
animals
 Soil families are differentiated according
vitr glass
xer Annual dry season to properties that are important to
sombr Dark horizon plant growth and other non-agricultural
uses.
 These properties are: soil texture of the
 Examples of names of great groups of horizons, mineralogy, temperature,
selected suborders of three orders
 and thickness of the soil penetrate by Relief or Catena
roots.
 These are properties that are related to  Nearly level to gently undulating
(sloping)
water retention and aeration w/c are
important to crop production as well as Classification of Soil According to their
for engineering purposes. Suitability for Various Uses (LAND CAPABILITY
 Criteria used for family classification CLASSIFICATION)
o Broad textural classes – fine,
fine loamy, sandy, and clayey  Aim of protecting the soil from erosion
o Mineralogical classes – and degradation
montmorillionitic,kolinitic,  The major consideration are slope,
siliceous, and mixed degree of erosion and soil type
o Temperature classes – frigid (texture)
(cold), mesic (moderate  Difference between Soil and Land
moisture) and thermic (warm). o Soil is the more restrictive term,
referring to a collection of
Classification of the soil into Series natural bodies with depth as
well as breadth whose
 The factors of soil formation have the
characteristics may be only
same degree of influence resulting in
indirectly related to their
the soil bodies, though scattered, to
current vegetation and use.
show approximately the same kind and
o Land is broader term which
range of profile characteristics.
includes among its
 Soils within a soil series developedfrom
characteristics not only the soil
the same parent material and display
but other physical attributes,
the same sequence of horizons.
such as water supply, existing
 Soils in a series differ in degree of
plant cover, and location with
expression of horizon characteristics
respect to cites, means of
only within a limited range of variability
transportation, etc.
such as in color, texture, structure,
 In the capability system, soils are
organic content, horizon, thickness, pH
generally grouped at 3 levels; capability
(acid, neutral or alkaline), etc.
class, subclass and unit.
 Subsoil texture is nearly the same for all
 the suitability for agriculture or
members of the series.
otherwise is based on the following
 There are 300 soil series identified so
limitations:
far in the Philippines.
1. Risk of runoff and erosion.
Soil Phase 2. Wetness or need for drainage.
3. Limitations to root development
 Subdivision on the basis of some and tillage operations, such as
important deviation such as texture, shallow soil, low water holding
erosion, slope, stoniness, or soluble salt capacity, salinity, presence of
content.
 stones or boulders, and climatic  Limitations in the use of soils are result
characteristics. from factors such as:
 The 8 capability groupings of soils are: a. Moderately steep slopes
1. CLASS I – soils have 8 limitations that b. High erosion hazards
restrict their use. c. Very slow water permeability
 Good land for safe cultivation and d. Shallow depth and restricted root
extensively to most crops with ordinary zone
good farming practices. e. Low water holding capacity
 The soils are deep, well drained and the f. Low fertility
land is nearly level. g. Moderate alkali or salinity
 Naturally fertile or have characteristics h. Unstable soil structure. Soils in this
which encourage good response of often require special conservation
crops to application. practices.
 Water holding capacity of soil is high. 4. CLASS IV – soils have very severe
 Soils having all other favourable limitations that reduce the choice of
characteristics such as irrigated by a plants or require very careful
permanent irrigation system are management or both.
included. 5. CLASS V – soils have little or no hazard
2. CLASS II – soils have moderate of erosion but have other limitations,
limitations that restrict the choice of impractical to remove, that limit their
plants or that require moderate use mainly to pasture, range,
conservation practices. forestland, wildlife food and cover.
 These soils may be used for the same 6. CLASS VI – soils have severe limitations
crops as Class I. however, they are that make them generally unsuited to
capable of sustaining less intensive cultivation and that limit their use
cropping system, or with the same mainly to pasture, range, forestland,
cropping systems, they require some wildlife food and cover.
conservation practices. 7. CLASS VII – soils have very severe
 The use of soil may be limited by a) limitations that make unsuited to
gentle slope, b) moderate erosion cultivation and that restrict their use
hazard, c) inadequate soil depth, d) mainly to grazing, forestland or wildlife.
less than ideal soil structure and 8. CLASS VIII – soils and miscellaneous
workability, e) slight to moderate alkali areas have limitations that preclude
or saline conditions and, f) somewhat their use for commercial plant
restricted drainage. production and limit their use
 Management practices; terracing, strip recreation, wildlife or water supply or
cropping, contour tillage, crop rotation. for esthetic purposes.
3. CLASS III – soils have severe limitations
that restrict the choice of plants or that Principle of Soil Taxonomy
require special conservation practices Classify soil on basis properties. Soil
or both. properties should be readily observable /
measurable. Soil properties should either affect d. Mesic – MAT is 8-15℃
soil genesis or result from soil genesis. e. Thermic – MAT is 15-22℃
f. Hyperthermic – MAT is >22℃
Purpose of Soil Taxonomy
Prefix “Iso” is used if mean summer (jun, july,
 Organize knowledge about soils aug) and winter (dec, jan, feb) temp differ by
 Understand relationship among <5℃.
different soils
 Establish group or classes for practical  Isofrigid - <8℃
purposes.  Isomesic – 8-15℃
o Predicting behaviour  Isothermic – 15-22℃
o Identifying best uses  Isohyperthermic - >22℃
o Estimating productivity Soil Moisture Regime
o Extending research result
Measured in terms 0f absence and presence
Requirements of water held at tension of <15 bars in the
moisture control section by 1 year soil
Temperature Regime – mean annual soil temp
moisture control section:
measured at 50cm from the surface
 10-30cm clayey soils
Moisture Regime – no. of days when soil
 20-60 cm loamy soils
contains available water during the period
when soil temp at 50cm below the surface is  30-90 cm sandy soils
above 5℃ a. Aquic moisture regime – soil is
saturated and no dissolved oxygen
Diagnostic Horizon – distinct type of horizons b. Aridic and Torric – soil moisture control
that reflect nature of soil formation section is dry more than half the time
when soil temp at 50cm is >5℃; moist
Epipedon – surface diagnostic for 3months only
horizons c. Ustic moisture regime – dry >3months
and continuously moist for at least 2
Subsurface - diagnostic horizons
months
Mineralogy – dominant type of clay minerals d. Udic moisture regime – soil is dry for <3
months only
Particle size distribution- proportion of coarse e. Xeric moisture regime – soil is
fragments (2mm-74mm) in combination with continuously dry 45 days after summer
fine fragments (>2mm). and continuously moist 45 days after
Soil Temp Regime (at 50cm from the ground) winter.

a. Pergilic- mean annual temp (MAT) is

>0℃
b. Cryic – MAT is 0-8℃
c. Frigid – MAT is <8℃ (warmer than
cryic)