First Lab Report: String Bean

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

SS11403 ENVIRONMENTAL SOIL SCIENCE

Title: STRING BEAN

Date of Submission: 24 March 2018

Lecturer: Dr. diana demiyah Mohd Hamdan

Group Members	Matric Number
JOHN NIELSON ANAK GRIFFIN (CAPTAIN)	BS17110055
INTAN NATASYA BINTI ABDUL HALIM	BS17160681
LIEW SIN YIN	BS17160664
MOGANANTHENI A/P SEGAR	BS17110509
NURZAHARAH BINTI OMAR BASA	BS17110518
TAN SHI MIN	BS17110516

INTRODUCTION

          For about 5500 years ago, the soil had been used intensively for agriculture activity that has been contributed almost most of a nation’s richness as agriculture is the main economy for a nation. It also takes thousands of years for rocks to develop into the soil, hundreds of years to build up layers of rich organic soil. Basically, the soil is made up of water, air, mineral particles, organic matter and organisms. Somehow, half of the soil is made up of pore space. This is the space that will fill up with water and air. Meanwhile, most of the solid particles are made up of mineral particles. Organic matter may make up about 5% of the soil proportion but even in a small amount, it will greatly hold the soil particles together, storing nutrients and supply food to small organisms.

          In addition, mineral particles are divided into three groups based on the size which are clay, silt and sand. Soil texture depends on the proportion of particles from each of these groups. For example, a loam has similar proportions of all three classes of particles. A sandy loam is higher in the sand; a clay loam is higher in clay. Soil particles range in size from gritty sand particles as large as 2 mm (1/16 inch) to microscopic clay particles 1000the times smaller. These particles rarely exist separately in the soil. They normally combine into clumps called aggregates or peds. A few particles bind into tiny microaggregates. Microaggregates, in turn, combine to form larger aggregates. Ideally, the oil will have a wide range of aggregate sizes and pore sizes. Aggregates in healthy soil will be stable and resist breakage when tilled, hit by rain, or otherwise disturbed.

          The air is composed of nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide that resulting from the decomposing of organic matter and the respiration of living organisms. The liquid fraction or soil solution which is soluble substances which resulting from the weathering and decomposition of organic matter. The soluble substances might include acids, bases and salts which are potassium, magnesium, sodium and other else. However, it is important to know the type of soils and factors that affect the soil fertility as it will contribute to the growth of plants such as the soil colour, texture and components that made up the soil to know the suitability of soil toward the plant. These features of soil can be configured by implemented soil colour analysis, soil texture by feel and soil texture by the jar.

          Soil colour is used to refer to the concentration of organic matter, iron and manganese. When these agents are not present, the natural colour of the grains will be visible which is grey. Soil colour is most commonly measured by comparison with a soil colour chart which is Munsell Colour Chart. The one generally used is a modification of the Munsell colour chart that includes only the portion needed for soil colours, about one-fifth of the entire range of colour. The arrangement is hue, value and chroma. He related with the dominant spectral colour – wavelength of light, value refers to the relative lightness of the colour and chroma is the relative purity or strength of the spectral colour.

          Meanwhile, soil texture analysis by jar test is based on the percentage of sand, silt and clay particles in the soil. This is because the ideal soil texture is a mix of sand, silt and clay particles known as loam. In most cases, the particles will not be balanced and the soil will need to be altered by adding organic amendments. By using the jar, the percentage of sand, silt and clay can be determined. Once the percentages are calculated, the soil textural triangle can be used to determine the soil type.

          Last but not least, the soil texture analysis by feel. In this analysis, there will be two type of method to determine the soil texture which is ball throwing method and ball and ribbon method. In this analysis, if the method involves the flexibility and stickiness of the soil. Many soil conditions and components cause inconsistencies between field texture estimates and standard laboratory data.  These are, but not limited to, the presence of cement, large clay crystals, and mineral grains.  If field and laboratory determinations are inconsistent, one or more of these conditions is suspected.

          In a nutshell, every soil has very unique texture and the component that has its own function in the environment. Even though the production of soil takes a very long time, humans should appreciate and conserve the remaining soil for next generation’s use.

OBJECTIVES

Soil Colour Analysis

1.    To study the relationship between Munsell colour value and soil organic matter.

2.    To recognize the significance of soil colour, consistency and structure in soil.

3.    To understand soil process and factors influencing colour, consistency and structure.

Soil Texture by Feel

1.    To manipulate and feel the soil to classify the soil by texture.

2.    To understand the relationship between soil particles, size, plant growth and water.

3.    To study the different components of soils.

Soil Texture by Jar Test

1.    To compare the soil features based on physical characteristics include size, texture, air space, water availability and permeability of soil particles.

MATERIALS AND APPARATUS

1.    5 different types of soil

2.    Spray water bottle

3.    Munsell Colour chart

4.    5 same sizes of the transparent jars

5.    Ruler

METHODOLOGY

Soil Colour Analysis

1.    5 different types of soil are collected.

2.    A small pile of soil is put on the middle of the palm.

3.    Water is sprayed on the soil until reached the suitable humidity. This is to shows the original colour of the soil.

4.    The colour of soil is determined by sunlight by using Munsell Colour Chart.

5.    The Munsell colour code (hue, value and chroma) and colour name is recorded in a table.

Soil Texture Analysis by Feel

i)Ball Throwing Method

1.    A ball of soil is thrown to a surface 3m away.

2.    After that, each condition of the soil and observation are recorded.

3.    Then, the texture of the soil is predicted.

ii) Ball Method

1.    A handful of soil is taken and wet until they stick together without sticking to hand.

2.    A ball of about 3cm is made and put down.

3.    Then the ball of soil is rolled into a sausage shape.

4.    Continuously, the sausage is rolled longer and tried to bend it into the half circle or form a circle.

5.    Each condition of different types soil is recorded.

6.    The soil texture is predicted

iii) Ribbon Method

1.    About 2 tablespoons of soil are taken in one hand and added with water drop by drop until it reached a sticky consistency.

2.    The wetted soil is squeezed between thumb and forefinger to form a flat ribbon.

3.    The texture of soil are is determined based on the length of the ribbon formed without breaking.

4.    The observation is recorded.

Soil Texture Analysis by Jar

1.    5 transparent jars were prepared with equal size and shape.

2.    5 different types of soil were filled in each of the jars for about 60 %.

3.    Water then added until almost filling the whole jar.

4.    Each jar is shaken vigorously for 10 minutes.

5.    The jars were then put in a place which under an undisturbed condition for 24 hours.

6.    Observation and results are recorded in a table.

RESULTS

Soil Colour Analysis

Types of Soil	Hue	Value	Chroma	Munsell Colour Code	Colour Name
Depan A1	2.5YR	3	3	2.5YR 3/3	Dark reddish brown
Mangrove	2.5Y	3	2	2.5Y 3/2	Very dark greyish brown
Parking Lot	10YR	5	8	10YR 5/8	Yellowish-brown
ODEC	2.5Y	4	4	2.5Y 4/4	Olive brown
Field	10YR	3	6	10YR 3/6	Very yellowish brown

Soil Texture by Feel

Field Method of Soil Texture estimation: Ball & Ribbon Method

Soil type	Capable to form ball	Capable to form ribbon	Capable to form sausage	Capable to form circle	Length formed (ribbon)
Opposite A1	Yes	No	No	No	-
Mangrove forest	Yes	No	Yes	No	<2.5cm
Parking Lot of Kampung E	Yes	Yes	No	No	<2.5cm
ODEC	Yes	No	Yes	No	-
Field	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	2.5 – 5cm

Field Method of Soil Texture estimation: Ball Throwing Method

Soil type	Description
Opposite A1	Fall apart when thrown but still intact when moist
Mangrove forest	Does not fall apart when thrown to the target
Parking Lot of Kampung E	Does not fall apart when thrown to the target
ODEC	Fall apart when thrown to the target either dry or wet
Field	Does not fall apart when thrown to the target either wet or dry

Mason Jar Test

Soil Type	Number Of Layers	Sand (%)	Silt (%)	Clay (%)	Soil Texture
In front of A1	3	86	10	4	Loamy Sand
Mangrove	2	99	1	0	Sand
Field	2	98	2	0	Sand
ODEC	3	89	3	8	Loamy Sand
Parking Lot	2	98	2	0	Sand

Table 1 shown length of soil in Jar Test (cm).

Types of soil	Number Of Layers	Sand (%)	Silt (%)	Clay (%)	Soil Texture
In front of A1	4	85.6	10.3	4.1	Loamy Sand
Mangrove	3	98.6	1.4	-	Sand
Field	4	98.2	1.8	-	Sand
ODEC	6	88.5	3.3	8.2	Loamy Sand
Parking Lot	3	98	1.96	-	Sand

Table 2 shown of the soil percentage (%).

A formula for soil percentage of sand/silt / clay:

= ( depth of the sand or silt or clay / total depth of soil ) x 100

DISCUSSION

Soil colour is analyzed using the Munsell’s Soil Colour Chart. This chart has three main components which are hue, chroma and value. Hue refers the colour red, yellow, green, blue or the combination of two of the four colours. Value refers to the degree of lightness, darkness or reflectance of the soil under a light. Chroma refers to the saturation of colour of the soil.

Different types of soil have different colour are because they contain a different type of organic matter. The more amount if organic matter the darker the colour of the soil. While the natural processes also affect the colour of soil which included weathering or oxidation-reduction of minerals of soil. Minerals and chemical contain the soil affected the change of colour of the soil.

According to the Munsell’s Colour Chart, soil sample of Depan A1 in is 2.5YR 3/3, dark reddish brown; soil sample of Mangrove is 2.5Y 3/2, very dark greyish brown; soil sample of Parking Lot is 10YR 5/8, yellowish brown; soil sample of ODEC is 2.5Y 4/4, olive brown; soil sample of field is 10YR 3/6, very yellowish brown. YR(Yellow-Red) shows that the colour is a combination of yellow and red, which the soil in front of A1 contain iron minerals. Soil from mangrove shows very dark greyish brown which because of the living and dead organism of forest decomposed into black humus. Where the soil of Parking Lot and field is more to yellowish brown which have different contents of mineral to others. The soil of ODEC is Y(Yellow) shows that the soil doesn’t contain iron minerals and it have lesser mineral compares to others soil.

Soil texture estimation by feel is done by 2 methods, which are the Ball Throwing method and the Ball & Ribbon method.

For the soil texture from opposite A1, the Ball Throwing method showed that it is a sandy clay loam. This is because it has a medium texture. When this ball of soil is thrown, it smashes when dry and clings together when moist. But, it did not stick to the hard surface. While for the Ball & Ribbon method, a ball of this soil can be formed. But, no sausage and ribbon is formed. So, the Ball & Ribbon method showed that this soil is a loamy sand and is a type of loam.

          For the soil texture from mangrove forest, this soil exhibits moderately fine texture. This ball of soil when threw it holds its shape when wet. It also stuck to the target but is fairly easy to be removed. So, the Ball Throwing method showed that it is a clay loam. For the Ball & Ribbon method, a ball of soil and a sausage shape 6-7cm long is formed. When the sausage formed is continued to roll until it reaches 15-16cm long, it cannot remain in that shape. Also, the ribbon that can be formed is less than 2.5cm long. Hence, the Ball & Ribbon method showed that it is a sandy loam and is a type of loam.

          For the soil texture from the parking lot of Kampung E, this soil also holds its shape during wet when throwing. It sticks to the target but is fairly easy to be removed. It has a moderately fine texture. So, the Ball Throwing method showed that it is a clay loam. While for the Ball & Ribbon method, a ball of this soil can be formed. But, no sausage is formed. Also, the ribbon that can be formed is less than 2.5cm long. Hence, the Ball & Ribbon method showed that this soil is a loamy sand and is a type of loam.

          For the soil texture from ODEC, the Ball Throwing method showed that it is a clay loam. When throwing, it holds its shape during wet. It stuck to the target but is fairly easy to be removed. It exhibits moderately fine texture. For the Ball & Ribbon method, only a ball of soil can be formed. No any ribbon and sausage are formed. So, the Ball & Ribbon method showed that this soil is a loamy sand and is a type of loam.

          Lastly, for the soil texture from the field, this ball of soil sticks well to the target when wet. It became a very hard missile when dry. This is because it has a fine texture. So, the Ball Throwing method showed that this soil is a clay. For the Ball & Ribbon method, a ball of soil can be formed. When the sausage formed is bent into a circle, it remains in that shape. Also, the ribbon that can be formed is around 2.5-5cm long. Hence, the Ball & Ribbon method showed that this soil is a clay and is the type of clay loam.

          In this experiment also, soil texture is the relative proportions of sand, silt, or clay in a soil. Soil with the finest texture is called clay soils, while soils with the coarsest texture are called sands. However, a soil that has a relatively even mixture of sand, silt, and clay and exhibits the properties from each separate is called a loam. There are different types of loam, based upon which soil separate is most abundantly present. If the percentages of clay, silt, and sand in a soil are known primarily through laboratory analysis, the textural triangle was used to determine the texture class of the soil.

By using Soil Texture Chart to determine the texture class of a soil, the percentage of sand, silt, and clay will be determined in the sample. To read the triangular chart draw lines from points on each axe that correspond to the values that have been obtained from the mechanical analysis. The texture class in which the lines intersect is the texture class of the soil.

The five types of soil used were in front of A1 block, mangrove soil, field soil, ODEC, and parking lot soil. Using the Soil Texture Chart to determine the texture class of a soil. By according the Soil Texture Triangle, the percentage of sand, silt and clay can be determined.. In front of A1 block has 85.57% of sand, silt is 10.3% and 4.1% is clay which makes the soil texture is loamy sand. The mangrove soil has 98.6% sand, 1.4% silt and which makes it sand category. Next, for the field soil, it was also sand which is 98.2% sand and 1.8% silt. Other than that, soil texture for ODEC is loamy sand which sand is 88.5%, 3.3% for silt and 8.2% for clay. Lastly, for parking lot soil has 98% sand and 1.96% silt. To conclude, in this five types of soils, there are only two class of soil texture which are sand and loamy sand.

CONCLUSION

As a conclusion, based on the table result, most of the soil collected consist of sand. This may due to the construction site that occurs near the sample collection area. This could be the main reason for most of the seed did not germinate due to lack of organic matter and unsuitable texture of soil for the string bean. However, further, observation will be carried on the growth of the seed.

REFERENCES

Bernard P. K. etc. 2005. Introduction to Soil Science: Soils of the Tropics. Holland. Trafford Publishing.

Hammonds D. Color Interpretation And Soil Textures. Floridahealth.gov. 2013. March 22, 2018, from http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage/training/_documents/1-soil-colors.pdf

Soil Nutrient Management for Maui Country. Retrieved from  https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/mauisoil/a_factor_ts.aspx

Thien S.J. Guide to Texture by Feel. Natural Resources Conservation Service Soils. 1979. Retrieved March 22, 2018, from https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/edu/?cid=nrcs142p2_054311

Soil management and health. The University of Minnesota Extension. 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018, from https://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/soils/soil-properties/soil-management-series/introduction-to-soil-management/