Soil texture is a physical property that determines water retention, nutrient availability, and agricultural productivity. Making accurate characterization is essential for effective farm management in the Rio Grande Valley, a critical region for Texas agriculture. This study compared hydrometer and laser diffraction methods for particle size analysis using twenty-four samples from four local farms. Laser diffraction provided faster, more consistent results than the hydrometer method, making it ideal for routine agricultural soil assessment. Results revealed two distinct soil types: silt loam soils (CD&J and Dos Rios Winery) with excellent water retention capabilities, and sandy loam soils (Teplicek and The Hour Farm) with well drainage. Bulk density measurements confirmed these texture classifications and their agricultural implications. Accurate soil texture determination is essential for optimizing irrigation, crop selection, and land management in the Rio Grande Valley's agricultural systems.

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Engil Pereira

Soil Ecology Lab and and T.Y. Dong Geomorphology Lab, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley