Mineralogical and Textural Characteristics of Soils of Hancheng and Shannxi Province, China

Studies were conducted to investigate mineralogical and textural characteristics of Hancheng soils in relation to fertility status, mineralogical, and particle size distribution properties, which were determined from soil samples of the profile pits in 2014. Prepared representative clay fraction samples were subjected to x-ray diffraction analysis for mineralogical characterization. The results show dominant of quartz, attributed to high granitic parent materials with a range of 65.7-84.6% mean 54.1%, moganite 59.8%, albite 12.0-26.3% mean 21.03%, flusston 18.1%, calcium magnesium silicate 10.6%, muscovite 7.8%, olivine 1.8%, and illite 1.6% were detected. The particle size distribution analysis revealed sand fraction of 28.12-30.12% mean 29.1%, 22.12-28.12% mean 25.1%; silt 34.0-36.0% mean 35%, 32.0-38.0% mean 35%; and clay 35.9-35.9% mean 35.9%, 35.9-43.9% mean 32.6% surface and subsurface soils respectively. Texture classes of the soils were clay loam to clay apredominantly clay loam. The mineralogical and textural characteristics are important in relation to soil fertility, which allow farmers to adapt crop management practices with real soil situation.