Soil structure is very weak and unstable. Absence of vegetation cover results in an extremely low production of organic material which leads to the very low organic matter contents of sandy soils. However, the actual soil moisture content of the sandy soils determines the rate and duration of the chemical reactions, the production of organic matter and biological activity. Several million hectares of highly leached Arenosols are found in the perhumid tropics, notably in South America and in parts of Southeast Asia. Arenosols may occur in all parts of the world.
Land use Many sandy soils are non-used wastelands.
Sandy soils in the dry zone may be used for extensive grazing but with irrigation also arable cropping is possible. In the perhumid tropics sandy soils are chemically exhausted and highly sensitive to erosion and therefore demand cautious management if used for agriculture. The course texture of sandy soils causes a low water holding capacity and high infiltration rate which represent the main production constraints. Nutrients contents and nutrient retention are normally low, thus causing a low inherent fertility status for agricultural production. Nutrients are easily leached out of the solum.