What type of soil is composed of a mixture of sand, silt, and clay?

Loam is characterized as a soil that contains a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay, which provides it with ideal properties for agricultural use. This balance creates a texture that promotes good water retention and drainage, while also allowing adequate air circulation to the roots of plants. The presence of sand facilitates drainage and prevents compaction, the silt retains moisture and nutrients, and the clay helps with nutrient holding capacity and adds structure. This combination makes loam exceptionally fertile and suitable for growing a wide range of plants, making it one of the most desirable soil types for gardening and farming. In contrast, clay, sand, and silt, when considered individually, do not offer the optimal balance of drainage, nutrient retention, and aeration that loam does, which is why they are not the correct answers.