Natchez silt loam
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Natchez silt loam is the official state soil of Mississippi. In 1988, the Professional Soil Classifiers Association of Mississippi selected it to represent the soil resources of the state. These soils exist on 171,559 acres (69,427 ha) (0.56% of state) of landscape in Mississippi.
The Natchez Silt Loam as the official state soil, designated by the Mississippi Legislature in 2003.
Description
The Natchez soils formed in very deep loess material under a woodland environment and a climate that was warm and humid. These soils have natural fertility and desirable tilth but usually occur on slopes that limit their use to trees. In areas where slopes are less, pasture and row crops are grown and the soil is very productive when good management is applied.
A typical Natchez soil profile consists of a 3-inch (7.6 cm) top soil of dark grayish brown silt loam and to 8 inches (20 cm), a subsurface of brown silt loam, a yellowish brown and dark yellowish brown silt loam subsoil to 36 inches (91 cm) and a substratum that is yellowish brown, and dark yellowish brown silt loam down to 80 inches (200 cm).
