Important agronomic soil properties include the soil water-holding capacity, infiltration rate, aggregation, temperature, organic matter content, and nutrient availability. This publication focuses on physical characteristics of soil that influence how soil retains water and water availability for crop production. Porous loamy soils are the richest of all, laced with organic matter which retains water and provides the nutrients needed by crops. Land that has a balance of sand, clay, dirt and rock that provides a stable, well-drained environment for plants is the best for farming.
