Volume 2, Issue 2 — Year 2025 — Article e100041

ISSN (Online): 3115-8129 Biannually

Physical Properties of Clayey Soil in the Development of Agricultural Strategies

Article Type: Technical Note
Pages: e100041
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22034/CGEL.2.2.e100041
Crossmark
Open Access
Authors
Affiliations
  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Islamic Azad University Arsanjan Branch, Arsanjan 7376153161, Iran
  2. Department of Soil Sciences, Islamic Azad University Science and Research Branch, Tehran 1477893855, Iran
  3. Department of Soil Sciences, Islamic Azad University Science and Research Branch, Tehran 1477893855, Iran
Corresponding author
Email: Fatemi.Moharam.97@yahoo.com
Received: 2 August 2025 / Accepted: 15 September 2025 / Published: 19 October 2025
Abstract

Clayey soils are characterized by distinct physical properties that significantly affect agricultural productivity and soil management. Their fine texture, high water retention capacity, low permeability, and compact structure make them both challenging and beneficial for farming. This study examines the role of clayey soils in agriculture, incorporating both geological and agricultural perspectives. From a geological viewpoint, the mineral composition of clay, such as the presence of kaolinite, illite, and montmorillonite, influences how the soil behaves under various environmental conditions. These minerals impact water retention, nutrient availability, and the soil's response to tillage and compaction. In the context of agriculture, understanding these geological properties is essential for developing effective management strategies. For instance, while clayey soils can retain moisture, they can also become easily waterlogged or compacted, reducing root growth and limiting oxygen availability. Therefore, agricultural practices must be tailored to improve soil structure, enhance water infiltration, and prevent erosion. This research highlights the importance of integrating geological knowledge with agricultural strategies to address the specific challenges of clayey soils. By considering both the physical and mineralogical properties of clayey soils, farmers can adopt practices that optimize crop yield, minimize soil degradation, and promote sustainable farming. The study suggests that a combination of soil amendments, crop rotation, and careful irrigation practices can enhance the productivity and environmental sustainability of clayey soils.

Keywords

Soil texture, Agricultural strategies, Clayey soil, Soil management, Water retention

Data availability statement

The data supporting the findings of this study are available within article. No publicly archived dataset was generated.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Highlights
  • Clayey soils have high water retention and low permeability
  • Mineral composition controls soil behavior and fertility
  • Management improves productivity and sustainability
References
  1. Abdelfattah M.A., Shahid S.A. (2007). A comparative characterization and classification of soils in Abu Dhabi coastal area in relation to arid and semi-arid conditions using USDA and FAO soil classification systems. Arid Land Research and Management, 21(3), 245-271. https://doi.org/10.1080/15324980701426314.
  2. Adeyanju E.A., Okeke C.A. (2019). Clay soil stabilization using cement kiln dust. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 640(1), 012080. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/640/1/012080.
  3. Ahmed S.M., Agaiby S.S. (2020). Strength and stiffness characterization of clays using Atterberg limits. Transportation Geotechnics, 25, 100420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2020.100420.
  4. Amri S., Akchiche M., Bennabi A., Hamzaoui R. (2019). Geotechnical and mineralogical properties of treated clayey soil with dune sand. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 152, 140-150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2019.01.010.
  5. Anikwe M.A.N. (2000). Amelioration of a heavy clay loam soil with rice husk dust and its effect on soil physical properties and maize yield. Bioresource Technology, 74(2), 169-173. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-8524(00)00007-9.
  6. Bahmed I.T., Harichane K., Ghrici M., Boukhatem B., Rebouh R., Gadouri H. (2019). Prediction of geotechnical properties of clayey soils stabilised with lime using artificial neural networks (ANNs). International Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 13(2), 191-203. https://doi.org/10.1080/19386362.2017.1329966.
  7. Baldovino J.A., Moreira E.B., Teixeira W., Izzo R.L., Rose J.L. (2018). Effects of lime addition on geotechnical properties of sedimentary soil in Curitiba, Brazil. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 10(1), 188-194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2017.10.001.
  8. Bergaya F., Lagaly G. (2006). General introduction: clays, clay minerals, and clay science. Developments in Clay Science, 1, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1572-4352(05)01001-9.
  9. Blyth F.G.H., De Freitas M. (2017). A Geology for Engineers. CRC Press, Florida, USA.
  10. Cherif M.M., Amal M., Ramdane B. (2018). Effect of swelling mineral on geotechnical characteristics of clay soil. In: Proceedings of the MATEC Web of Conferences, 149, 02067. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201814902067.
  11. Dhar S., Hussain M. (2019). The strength behaviour of lime-stabilised plastic fibre-reinforced clayey soil. Road Materials and Pavement Design, 20(8), 1757-1778. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2018.1468803.
  12. Do Nascimento G. (2021). Clay and Clay Minerals. Intechopen press, London, UK.
  13. Firoozi A.A., Firoozi A.M., Baghini M.S. (2016). A review of clayey soils. Asian Journal of Applied Sciences, 4(06), 1319-1330.
  14. Ghosh B., Chakraborty D. (2023). Clay Minerals: Their Antimicrobial and Antitoxic Applications. Springer, Cham, Switzerland.
  15. Ghosh R. (2013). Effect of soil moisture in the analysis of undrained shear strength of compacted clayey soil. Journal of Civil Engineering and Construction Technology, 4(1), 23-31. https://doi.org/10.5897/JCECT12.070.
  16. Gillott J.E. (2012). Clay in Engineering Geology. Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
  17. GuhaRay A., Guoxiong M., Sarkar A., Bordoloi S., Garg A., Pattanayak S. (2019). Geotechnical and chemical characterization of expansive clayey soil amended by biochar derived from invasive weed species Prosopis juliflora. Innovative Infrastructure Solutions, 4, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-019-0231-2.
  18. Haghsheno H., Arabani M. (2022). Geotechnical properties of oil-polluted soil: a review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(22), 32670-32701. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19418-1.
  19. Hajdarwish A., Shakoor A., Wells N.A. (2013). Investigating statistical relationships among clay mineralogy, index engineering properties, and shear strength parameters of mudrocks. Engineering Geology, 159, 45-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2013.03.016.
  20. Hassan H.J.A., Rasul J., Samin M. (2021). Effects of plastic waste materials on geotechnical properties of clayey soil. Transportation Infrastructure Geotechnology, 8(3), 390-413. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40515-020-00145-4.
  21. Holtz R.D., Kovacs W.D. (1981). An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering. Prentice Hall, New Jersey, USA.
  22. Johari A., Golkarfard H., Davoudi F., Fazeli A. (2021). A predictive model based on the experimental investigation of collapsible soil treatment using nano-clay in the Sivand Dam region, Iran. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 80, 6725-6748. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02360-w.
  23. Karkush M.O., Ali S.D. (2020). Impacts of lead nitrate contamination on the geotechnical properties of clayey soil. Journal of Engineering Science and Technology, 15(2), 1032-1045.
  24. Karkush M.O., Yassin S.A. (2020). Using sustainable material in improvement the geotechnical properties of soft clayey soil. Journal of Engineering Science and Technology, 15(4), 2208-2222.
  25. Karpiński B., Szkodo M. (2015). Clay minerals–mineralogy and phenomenon of clay swelling in oil & gas industry. Advances in Materials Science, 15(1), 37-55. https://doi.org/10.1515/adms‐2015‐0006.
  26. Khodami M., Shervedani A.K. (2018). Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the Chah-Shur clay deposit, Southeast of Isfahan, Iran. Iranian Journal of Earth Sciences, 10(1), 135-141.
  27. Klimov S.V., Klimova A.V. (2022). Drainage reconstruction in the zone of excessive moisture during the cultivation of blueberries on poorly water-permeable clay soils. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1049(1), 012038. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1049/1/012038.
  28. Kome G.K., Enang R.K., Tabi F.O., Yerima B.P.K. (2019). Influence of clay minerals on some soil fertility attributes: a review. Open Journal of Soil Science, 9(9), 155-188. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojss.2019.99010.
  29. Lu S.G., Sun F.F., Zong Y.T. (2014). Effect of rice husk biochar and coal fly ash on some physical properties of expansive clayey soil (Vertisol). Catena, 114, 37-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2013.10.014.
  30. Mohammed A.S. (2018). Property correlations and statistical variations in the geotechnical properties of (CH) clay soils. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 36, 267-281. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-017-0325-6.
  31. Momeni M., Bayat M., Ajalloeian R. (2022). Laboratory investigation on the effects of pH-induced changes on geotechnical characteristics of clay soil. Geomechanics and Geoengineering, 17(1), 188-196. https://doi.org/10.1080/17486025.2020.1716084.
  32. Moreno-Maroto J.M., Alonso-Azcarate J. (2022). Evaluation of the USDA soil texture triangle through Atterberg limits and an alternative classification system. Applied Clay Science, 229, 106689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2022.106689.
  33. Nikbakht M., Sarand F.B., Irani A.E., Bonab M.H., Azarafza M., Derakhshani R. (2022). An experimental study for swelling effect on repairing of cracks in fine-grained clayey soils. Applied Sciences, 12(17), 8596. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12178596.
  34. Noaman M.F., Khan M.A., Ali K., Hassan A. (2022). A review on the effect of fly ash on the geotechnical properties and stability of soil. Cleaner Materials, 6, 100151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clema.2022.100151.
  35. O’Kelly B.C. (2021). Review of recent developments and understanding of Atterberg limits determinations. Geotechnics, 1(1), 59-75. https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics1010004.
  36. Ojuri O.O., Ramdas V., Aderibigbe E.A., Williams C.G., Ramchuran S., Al-Nageim H. (2022). Improving strength and hydraulic characteristics of regional clayey soils using biopolymers. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 17, e01319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2022.e01319.
  37. Phogat V.K., Tomar V.S., Dahiya R. (2015). Soil physical properties. Soil science: An introduction, pp. 135-171.
  38. Pushpakumara B.H.J., Mendis W.S.W. (2022). Suitability of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) with lime as a soil stabilizer in geotechnical applications. International Journal of Geo-Engineering, 13(1), 4. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40703-021-00169-w.
  39. Rahgozar M.A., Saberian M., Li J. (2018). Soil stabilization with non-conventional eco-friendly agricultural waste materials: An experimental study. Transportation Geotechnics, 14, 52-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2017.09.004.
  40. Sharma A., Sharma R.K. (2021). Sub-grade characteristics of soil stabilized with agricultural waste, constructional waste, and lime. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 80(3), 2473-2484. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-020-02047-8.
  41. Soga K., Laver R.G., Li Z. (2017). Long-term tunnel behaviour and ground movements after tunnelling in clayey soils. Underground Space, 2(3), 149-167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.undsp.2017.08.001.
  42. Stoltz G., Cuisinier O., Masrouri F. (2012). Multi-scale analysis of the swelling and shrinkage of a lime-treated expansive clayey soil. Applied Clay Science, 61, 44-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2012.04.001.
  43. Tarbuck E., Lutgens F., Tasa D. (2016). Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (12th edition). Pearson, London, England.
  44. Taser O.F., Metinoglu F. (2005). Physical and mechanical properties of a clayey soil as affected by tillage systems for wheat growth. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section B-soil and Plant, 55(3), 186-191. https://doi.org/10.1080/09064710510008702.
  45. Tournassat C., Bourg I.C., Steefel C.I., Bergaya F. (2015). Surface properties of clay minerals. Developments in Clay Science, 6, 5-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-100027-4.00001-2.
  46. Tu A., LeBauer D. (2011). Data Entry Workflow for the Biofuel Ecophysiological Traits and Yields Database (BETYdb). Available at: https://shorturl.at/LV7Xs [Accessed on March 2025].
  47. Varghese R., K R. (2021). Geotechnical behaviour of different organic matter on clayey soils. Geomechanics and Geoengineering, 16(4), 288-297. https://doi.org/10.1080/17486025.2019.1670874.
  48. Velde B. (1992). Introduction to Clay Minerals: Chemistry, origins, uses and environmental significance. Springer, Cham, Switzerland.
  49. Żbik M.S., Williams D.J., Song Y.F., Wang C.C. (2015). Smectite clay microstructural behaviour on the Atterberg limits transition. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 467, 89-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2014.11.042.
  50. Zhou C.H., Keeling J. (2013). Fundamental and applied research on clay minerals: From climate and environment to nanotechnology. Applied Clay Science, 74, 3-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2013.02.013.
  51. Zhu F., Li Z., Dong W., Ou Y. (2019). Geotechnical properties and microstructure of lime-stabilized silt clay. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 78, 2345-2354. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-018-1307-5.
How to cite
Fatemi, M., Alizade, S., & Gorbani, M. (2025). Physical Properties of Clayey Soil in the Development of Agricultural Strategies. Civil and Geoengineering Letters, 2(2), e100041. https://doi.org/10.22034/CGEL.2.2.e100041
Note: Please verify the citation against your preferred style guide.
Share
X LinkedIn Facebook Email Mendeley
Article Metrics
1213 Readers
781 Downloads
N/A Citations
PDF XML Back to Issue