Soil is the most vital element required for food production, and is nothing but fine particles that have eroded from a parent rock. A rock, as we know, is made up of various minerals, metals, and fossils. Continuous exposure to natural and man-made factors causes the parent rock to weather. Over a period of time, these weathered rock particles form the top layer of soil, that plants use to grow and survive. The size of soil particles is important. The amount of open space between the particles influences how easily water moves through soil, and how much water the soil will hold. Too much clay in proportion to silt and sand causes the soil to take in water very slowly. Such soils give water to plants slowly, and are sticky when wet. Based on the components and the size of the particles, soil is classified into different types. This article describes the main types of soil; namely, sandy, clay, silty, loamy, peat, and chalky soil. Basically, soil is classified into different types based on its composition. For instance, loam soil has 10 to 30 percent clay, 30 to 50 percent silt, and 25 to 50 percent sand. Sandy clay loam, on the other hand, has 20 to 35 percent clay, less than 28 percent silt, and more than 45 percent sand. Here is a soil triangle or texture triangle, which will help you understand soil classification on the basis of silt, sand, and clay content. Besides the above classification of soil, the next popular classification of soil is according to the pH level of soil. In this classification, soil is either acidic or alkaline, depending on the amount of humus, organic matter, and the underlying bedrock. But, no matter what the type it is, every soil has its own advantages and disadvantages.