gumbo (soil)

File:Commercial Soybeans Pushing Thru Missouri Gumbo.jpg

File:Northern Missouri No-Till Soybeans in Gumbo Soil.jpg

Gumbo soil is typically defined by the overwhelming presence of very fine particles of clay, but often has small amounts of sand and/or organic material.[http://billingsgazette.com/lifestyles/there-s-science-behind-sticky-gumbo-soil/article_8c6c31ef-2b94-5122-b52c-7113644c656c.html There's Science Behind Sticky Gumbo Soil; Billings Gazette]

Although gumbo soils are exceptional at water retention, they can be difficult to farm, as precipitation will turn gumbo into a unique muddy mess that is challenging to work using large commercial farming equipment. Avoiding tillage of this type of soil through no-till farming appears strongly correlated with higher yields, as compared to more traditional tilling practices.{{Cite web | url=http://www.dakotafarmer.com/story-drought-tested-till-9-131661 |title = Drought-tested no-till|date = 2015-09-02}}