What determines the texture of soil?

The texture of soil is primarily determined by the size of soil particles. Soil is composed of different particle sizes: sand, silt, and clay. These particles vary significantly in diameter, with sand having the largest particles, silt having medium-sized particles, and clay consisting of the finest particles. The relative proportions of these different sizes confer a specific texture to the soil, which has critical implications for water retention, nutrient availability, and aeration. For instance, sandy soils tend to drain quickly, while clayey soils retain water well due to their smaller particle size and respective arrangement.

The color of the soil, while informative about specific properties like organic matter presence or mineral content, does not directly influence how the soil feels or behaves in terms of its particle size distribution. Organic matter content can affect soil health and fertility, but it does not define texture. Moisture content is significant for understanding the soil's performance and biological activity, but again, it does not alter the inherent texture of the soil particles themselves. Thus, the size of the soil particles is the defining characteristic of soil texture.