Loam is soil composed of a relatively even mixture of three mineral particle size groups: sand, silt, and clay. Loams are gritty, plastic when moist, and retain water easily. Yet they drain well where the topography allows. They generally contain more nutrients than sandy soils.

In addition to the term loam, different names are given to soils with slightly different proportions of sand, silt, and clay: sandy loam, silty loam, clay loam, sandy clay loam, silty clay loam.

A "loamy" soil feels mellow and is easy to work over a wide range of moisture conditions. A soil dominated by one or two of the three particle size groups can behave like loam if it has a strong granular structure (promoted by a high content of organic matter). However, a soil that meets the textural definition of loam can become unlike loamy earth if it is compacted, depleted of organic matter, or has dispersive clay in its fine-earth fraction.

Loam in house construction

Loam is also used for the construction of houses. Walls covered inside with a loam layer are good to control air humidity and improve living space climate.

Loam combined with straw is also a widely used construction material in poorer countries.

External links

• One family house in Romania built with loam and straw

See also: humus

Pedology

Lehm | Limo | ابلیز | Limo | Leem | Ił (skała)