
%0 Journal Article
%A Minasny, Budiman 
%A McBratney, Alex. B. 
%T The Australian soil texture boomerang: a comparison of the Australian and USDA/FAO soil particle-size classification systems
%J Soil Research
%D 2001/11/28
%V 39
%N 6
%P 1443-1451
%K particle size distribution, soil texture class, classification.
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/SR00065
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/SR00065 
%X The different classification of particle-size fractions used in Australia compared with other countries presents a problem for the immediate adoption of the exotic pedotransfer functions. Australia adopted the international system which defined silt as particles with diameters in the range 2&#8211;20 m, while the USDA/FAO define it as 2&#8211;50 m. We present empirical equations to convert between the two systems. The USDA/FAO textural classes were also plotted in the International system&#8217;s coordinate. The USDA/FAO classes in the International system had a &#8216;boomerang&#8217; shape and only occupy 60% of the triangle. Particle-size data showed that the data are evenly distributed in the USDA/FAO triangle, while most data are concentrated in the boomerang in the International system. We therefore suggest that it would seem wise for most countries to consider adopting the particle-size limits and texture classes of the USDA/FAO system. 
