Which soil texture has the finest particles?

Clay soils have the finest particles compared to the other soil types listed. The texture of clay soils is characterized by particles that are less than 0.002 millimeters in diameter, giving them a smooth feel and allowing them to compact tightly. This fine texture contributes to several important properties of clay soils, including high cation exchange capacity, which allows them to retain nutrients effectively, and the ability to retain moisture.

Additionally, the high surface area of clay particles facilitates the retention of water and nutrients, making clay a vital component of fertile soils. In contrast, sandy soils consist of larger particles that do not hold water or nutrients well, while silt soils have intermediate particle sizes that fall between sand and clay. Loamy soils are a mix of sand, silt, and clay, providing good drainage while maintaining fertility, but they do not contain the finest particles exclusively. Thus, the classification of soil texture identifies clay as the type with the smallest particle size.