Which characteristic describes a Fine B horizon?

Study for the Iowa Soil Judging Test. Master soil concepts with interactive questions and detailed explanations. Prepare effectively for your exam!

A Fine B horizon is characterized by its texture, which typically contains a high proportion of clay. When soil is dominated by clay, it becomes sticky when wet and can be molded into a long ribbon when pressed between the fingers. This behavior is indicative of a fine-textured soil that retains moisture and nutrients well, which is a distinctive feature of such horizons.

In contrast, other options describe different textures and states of soil. For instance, hand dirt that makes a short ribbon suggests a coarser texture, while sandy hands represent soils that do not retain moisture in the same way and lack the cohesive properties necessary to form ribbons. Lastly, a soil that sticks a little but does not form a ribbon indicates a very sandy or silty texture, which is not typical of the Fine B horizon. Thus, recognizing the ability of clay-rich soils to form long ribbons is key to understanding the characteristics of the Fine B horizon.

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