In the textural triangle, what does locating the percentage on the left side represent?

In the context of a textural triangle, the left side typically represents the percentage of clay present in a soil sample. The textural triangle is a graphical representation used to classify soil textures based on the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay. Each side of the triangle corresponds to one of these soil components.

When determining the soil texture, you plot the percentages of sand, silt, and clay along their respective sides. By finding the intersection point based on the recorded percentages, you can identify the specific soil texture class. Since the left side corresponds to clay, locating the percentage there allows you to determine how much clay is present in the sample compared to sand and silt. This information is crucial for various aspects of agriculture, environmental science, and land management, as different soil textures have varying capabilities for water retention, nutrient availability, and aeration.