The chemical and mineral composition of a soil often not only determine the effectiveness of the weathering forces, but in some instances partially controls the natural vegetation. Soil acidity encourages mineral decomposition and the overall development of the soil profile. Where parent materials are rich in lime, development of a soil is delayed, and it remains immature for a longer period of time. The degree of stratification or layering has an important influence on the properties and uses of a soil. For instance, a layer of soil which is high in clay can make an otherwise useless sandy soil suitable for crop growth by adding to the water and nutrient retention of the soil.
Soil texture refers to the fineness or coarseness of a soil.
The texture of a soil is named after the type of particle which is predominant in the soil, i.e. a soil high in sand would be referred to as a sandy soil. Soil structure refers to the way individual soil particles are arranged to make up the mass of soil. Structure modifies the influence of texture in regard to moisture and air relationships, availability of plant nutrients, action of microorganisms and root growth. The structure of a soil is not permanent. Different structures include platy, prismatic, columnar, blocky, crumbly and granular soil.