First Lab Report: TARAB ARAB Padi Sawah

Title: Soil Texture and Soil Colour Analysis
Lecturer: Dr. Diana Demiyah Mohd Hamdan
Date of Submission: 20th March 2018

NAME	MATRIC NUMBER
NG JING JIE	BS17160675
FICKRY JAJURI	BS17160677
NURUL IRINA AK DOUGLAS NYEGING	BS17110050
MARILYN LEANNE MONROE	BS17110366
EMILEY TOMPOK @ MOJINOK SITI NURAZWANNI BT. WARISHAD	BS17110145 BS17160698

Soil Texture Analysis
I) Introduction

The term soil texture is referred as the composition of sand, silt and clay that makes up the soil. The size of the sand particles differs from the silt particles and same goes to the clay particles. Sand particles are relatively much larger compared to silt and clay particles.

Sizes of sand, silt and clay

As shown in the figure above, the sand particle ranges from 0.2 to 2mm for coarse sand and 0.02 to 0.2mm for fine sand whereas silt particle would measure up to 0.002 to 0.02mm. Clay particles would be the finest and are usually less than 0.002mm in size. (Measuring Engineering Australia, 2018)

In comparison to the ability of retaining water, the sand particle would be the least to retain moisture. Hence, sand particles drain water easily. However, for clay particles, they perform the best in retaining moisture. To determine the soil composition through our naked eyes is a difficult task and errors commonly occur. Hence, there are multiple test which would help us identify the soil composition. 
These tests would be the ball and ribbon method, Mason Jar Soil Test which we will use the results for the soil textural triangular. Soil textural triangle chart would then be used to determine the texture of the soil. Soil texture are extremely important as they affect the amount of water the soil can hold, the rate of water movement through the soil, how workable and fertile the soil, aeration and the plant rooting depth. (S.J. Thien. 1979)

II) Objective

1. To determine the soil texture through the ball and ribbon test.
2. To determine the soil composition of each soil using the Mason Jar Test.

III) Materials and Apparatus

1. 5 different types of soil

2. 5 glass jar of the same size
3. 15 cm ruler

IV) PROCEDURE

Soil texture by jar test:

1. 5 glass jar of the same size were prepared.
2. Each glass jar was filled with 60% volume of soil.
3.  Water was added almost filling the whole jar.
4. The jar lid was closed tightly.
5. Each glass jar was shaken for about 10 minutes vigorously and it was let to settle out.
6. Each glass jar was then labelled according to the soil type.
7. Steps 1-6 were repeated with 4 other different type of soil.
8. The glass jars were left undisturbed for 24 hour
9.  After 24 hours, each glass jar was observed and the separate layers was marked.

Soil texture by Ribboning Method:

1. An approximately small handful of soil was taken enough to make a small ball when soaked with water.
2. Enough water was added to the dry soil until it can be moulded into a small ball shape.
3. The soil sample was then formed into a ball about ¾ inch in diameter.
4. If the soil does not form into a ball, it will be a sand.
5. Samples that did not form into a ball was recorded down as sand. Otherwise, the
6. procedure continued.
7. The sample then was kneaded gently into a flat ribbon shape until it broke from its own weight.
8. Samples that did not form a ribbon will be considered as loamy sand.
9. Observations were recorded
10. The samples that were able to form ribbons were felt with fingers to find out if it is gritty (sand), silky (silt) or plastic/sticky (clay).
11. Soil samples that were able to form a ribbon less than 1 inch and the soil felt gritty, it would be recorded as a sandy loam texture.
12. Soil samples that were able to form a ribbon less than 1 inch and the soil felt smooth, it would be recorded as a silty loam texture.
13. Soil samples that were able to form a ribbon less than 1 inch and it felt neither gritty nor smooth, it would be recorded as loam texture.
14. Soil samples that were able to form a ribbon between 1-2 inches long and the soil felt gritty, it would be recorded as sandy clay loam texture.
15. Soil samples that were able to form a ribbon between 1-2 inches long and the soil felt smooth, it would be recorded as silty clay loam texture.
16. If it was able to form a ribbon that was between 1-2 inches long and the soil felt neither gritty nor smooth, it is clay loam texture.
17. If it was able to form a ribbon more than 2 inches long and the soil felt gritty, it would be recorded as sandy clay texture.
18. If it was able to form a ribbon more than 2 inches long and the soil felt smooth, it would be recorded as silty clay texture.
19. If it was able to form a ribbon more than 2 inches long and the soil felt neither gritty nor smooth, it would be recorded as clay texture.
20. All the data would then be recorded.

Soil Texture Test by Ball Method

1. A handful of soil was taken and soaked with water and it was allowed to stick together without sticking to the hands.
2. It was then laid down after forming a ball of 3 cm diameter.
3. Observations were recorded on whether the ball falls apart.
4. If the ball fell apart, it would then be recorded as sand.
5. If the ball did not fall apart, the ball would then be continued to roll into a sausage shape of 6-7 cm long.
6. If the 6-7 cm long sausage fell apart, the soil sample would be recorded as loamy sand.
7. If the ball did not fall apart, the sausage would be further rolled into a length of 15-16 cm long.
8. If the sausage fell apart, the soil sample would be recorded as sandy loam.
9. If the sausage did not fall apart, the sausage would be bent into a half circle shape.
10. If the half circle shaped soil fell apart, it would be recorded as loam.

V) Results

Ribbon Test

Soil Type	Length of Ribbon (cm)	Soil Texture
Residential College E, Blk B1	2.9	Clay Loam
Residential College E Compound	No ribbon	Loamy Sand
ODEC	No ribbon	Sand
UMS Peak	2.7	Clay Loam
Garden Soil	2.4	Loam

Ball Test

Soil Type	3cm ball	6-7cm Sausage	15-16cm Sausage	Bent Sausage	Soil Texture
Residential College E, Blk B1	✓	✓	✓	X	Loam
Residential College E Compound	✓	X	-	-	Loamy Sand
ODEC	X	-	-	-	Sand
UMS Peak	✓	✓	X	-	Sandy Loam
Garden Soil	✓	✓	X	-	Sandy Loam

* ✓=Does not fall apart

   X= Falls apart

Mason Jar Test

Soil Type	Number of Layers	Sand (%)	Silt (%)	Clay (%)	Soil Texture
Residential College E, Blk B1	5	93.85	3.08	3.08	Sand
Residential College E Compound	3	93.97	5.17	0.86	Sand
ODEC	2	100	-	-	Sand
UMS Peak	3	97.95	0.68	1.37	Sand
Garden Soil	3	93.48	2.17	4.34	Sand

Jar Tests for Residential College E, Blk B1

Jar Tests for Garden Soil 

Jar Tests for Residential College E Compound

Jar Tests for UMS Peak

Jar Tests for ODEC

Textural Triangular Chart for ODEC

Textural Triangular Chart for BLK B1

Textural Triangular Chart for Garden Soil

Textural Triangular Chart for College E, Compound

Textural Triangular Chart for UMS Peak

VI) Discussion

While conducting the experiment, one of the way to differentiate the soil physical property is through soil texture. Soil texture refers to the proportion of the soil “separates “ that make up the mineral component of soil. The type of field method of soil texture estimation that been used is Ball & Ribbon Method.

Soil texture of Residential College E, compound's soil was described as loamy sand. Ribbon could not be formed when conducting the ribbon test. While conducting the ball test of College E, compound’s soil, the soil managed to be molded into a 3 cm sized ball, however, when rolled into a 6-7 cm sausage, it fell apart. Hence, we can interpret that this sample soil is a loamy sand.

Soil texture of ODEC was described as Sand. ODEC soil did not produce any ribbon during the ribbon test and hence, we can conclude that it’s texture is sand. For the ball test, ODEC soil did not survive when molded into 3 cm ball and falls apart. Hence, we interpret that it is of a sand texture.

Soil texture of UMS Peak interpreted as sandy loam or clay loam. The length of the ribbon that can be formed was 2.7 cm and shows us that it is of a clay loam texture. For the ball method, UMS Peak soil sample survived the first two stages. However, when rolled into a 15-16 cm long sausage, it falls apart. Hence, we categorized the soil as sandy loam.

Soil texture of soil College E, Blk B1 was recorded as loam. The length of the ribbon that can be form was 2.9 cm where it showed the texture of clay loam. For the ball test, the soil sample was recorded as loam as it was the only soil that survived till it was bent into a half circle shaped from a 15-16 cm long sausage shape.

Soil texture of Garden Soil was recorded as Sandy loam or loam. The length of the ribbon that can be formed was 2.4 cm which indicates loam texture. For the ball test, the soil sample only fell apart when rolled into a 15-16 cm long sausage shape. Hence, we interpret it as sandy loam.

For the Mason Jar test, due to the small size of the jar, the layers of each composition was not apparent enough for measurements and calculations. Hence, it was difficult to identify the many layers formed for each jar. The bottom layer where the sand occupies was the most apparent and obvious as seen from the table on Mason Jar test. Each jar consists of a layer of sand that covers over 90% of the soil composition in the jar. To further identify accurately the composition of the soil, sieve analysis test must be conducted. Organic matter was also found floating on the top layer of each jar.  

VII) Conclusion

Both the Mason Jar test and the Ball and Ribbon test showed differences of soil texture for 5 different soil types separately. The Mason Jar test showed that sand was a large component in each of the 5 soil types. Next, soil texture analysis is to determine the texture class and name. By knowing the soil texture, it helps us manage the soil and it influences storm water infiltration rates, the rate of water movement through soil, soil water holding capacity, the ease of tilling the soil and the amount of aeration.

References

1. Thien, S.J. 1979. A flow diagram for teaching texture by feel analysis. Journal of Agronomic Education. 8:54-55.
2. Queensland Government. 2013. Soil Texture.  https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/soil/soil-properties/texture Viewed on 19/3/2018
3. Jensen, J.L., Schjonning, P., Watts, C.W., Christensen, B.T. and Munkholm, L.J. 2017. Soil texture analysis revisited: Removal of organic matter matters more than ever. 

Soil Color Analysis
I) Introduction

Soil colour is one way of indicating the soil status and the colour depends on many factors, mainly on the amount and state of organic matter and iron oxide, as well as amount of air and water in soil pores. In general, dark soils have high organic matter content, grey soils are waterlogged, or anaerobic, brown soils are well-drained and aerated soils. Soil colour is measured using the Munsell Soil Colour charts. (Odeh, I.O.A. and McBratney, A.B. 2005)

         The Munsell Soil Colour Charts is an affordable way to evaluate the type and the of soil that is present within a given area. The book is designed to allow soil colour evaluations in the field quickly and much easier. The soil classification system that has been developed around Munsell Colour System is an established and accepted process to assign a soil type. This classification system has been used in the United States for more than 55 years to aid in the management and stewardship of natural resources. Using the Munsell Soil Charts, practitioners from a wide range of professions can share reliable and consistent information about the colour of soils at a particular site with colleagues anywhere around the world. (Cleland, T.M. 1921)

         Soil colour is influenced by its mineral composition as well as water and organic contents. For example, soils high in calcium tend to be white, those high in iron are reddish, and those high in humus are dark brown to black. Soil needs only about 5% organic material to appear black when wet. Soil colour is also a reflection of its age, and the temperature and moisture characteristics of the climate. Thus, cooler regions tend to have greyish to black top soils, due to the accumulation of humus. In moist warm regions, soils tend to be more yellowish-brown to red, depending on the hydration of ferric oxide and extensive weathering of the soil's parental mineral content. Rapid mineralization of the organic content in warm moist regions means that insufficient humus accumulates to cause a major impact on soil colour. Arid soils tend to be light in colour, and primarily express the colour of their mineral content. (Jackson, R.S. 2014)

II) Objectives

1. To determine soil colour using Munsell Colour Notation

III) Materials and Apparatus

1. Munsell book of colour
2. 5 different soil types

IV) Procedure

1. The ped or soil sample was selected to be described. 
2. The sample was moistened so that no free water was present nor it was glistening in the light 
3. The hue of the sample was determined by comparison with pages in the Munsell colour book. 
4. With good light coming over the shoulder, the soil’s color was compared with the color chips until the best match was found. 
5. The Munsell color notation (hue value/chroma) and the soil color name were recorded

V) Results

Munsell Soil Colour

TYPES OF SOIL	Value	Chroma	Hue	MUNSELL SEDIMENT COLOUR CODE	MUNSELL SEDIMENT DESCRIPTION
Residential College E, Blk B1	4	6	10 YR	10 YR 4/6	Dark yellowish brown
Residential College E Compound	4	4	2.5 YR	2.5 YR 4/4	Reddish brown
ODEC	6	2	2.5 Y	2.5 Y 6/2	Light brownish gray
UMS PEAK	3	3	10 YR	10 YR 3/3	Dark brown
Garden Soil	3	3	2.5 YR	2.5 YR 3/3	Dark reddish brown

VI) Discussion

Soil colour depends on organic matter and mineral content and is influenced by drainage. The topsoil is usually darker than lower layers (or horizon) because this is where organic matter accumulates. Dark soil colour may result from poor drainage and high organic matter content. Shades of red indicates a clay soil which the soil is well-aerated while shades of grey indicate inadequate drainage. Munsell Colour system was used in this analysis. It is a colour space that specifies colours based on three colour dimensions: hue, value (lightness), and chroma (colour purity).

According to the results, the colour for Residential College E Blk B1 soil is 10 YR 4/6 (dark brown). Accumulations of organic matter in soils caused the soil to be in brownish black dark colour. Humus coats the soil particles, giving them a dark colour. Usually, the darker the colour of a soil, the more organic matter the soil contains, and the more fertile and productive is the soil.

The colour for UMS Peak soil is 10 YR 3/3 (dark yellowish brown). The colour shows that the soil is well aerated which means that air moves freely into and out of the pore spaces of the soil. As microbes and plant roots use up oxygen in soil pores, oxygen from the air above the soil moves in to replace it. Well-aerated soils provide a healthy environment for plant roots. Due to iron oxide coatings on mineral grains (soil particles), the soil is brown in colour. These iron oxide coatings require plenty of oxygen in soil pores. If water should fill soil pores and remain there for a long time, oxygen cannot reach the iron coatings, causing the soil to turn grey. That is why brown colours indicate that the soil has good air-water relations and has not been saturated for long periods of time.

The colour of the soil from Residential College E, compound is 2.5 YR 4/4 (reddish brown) and the colour of purchased dark soil is 2.5 YR 3/3 (dark reddish brown). These colours are also caused by iron oxide coatings, and they also indicate well-aerated soil. The soil is red, rather than brown, only because the chemical form of the iron oxide is a little different. Sandy soil from ODEC is 2.5 Y 6/2 (light brownish gray). The colour is lighter because of the lost and leaching of organic matter. The colour soil for garden soil would be 2.5 YR 3/3 which corresponds to the dark reddish brown colour.

VII) Conclusion

In a conclusion, from the analysis of the colour of soil, the content and the condition of the soil can be determined. These are important factors for plants to grow so that the plants can grow healthily and crop production increase. 

References

1. Missouri Career Education. (n.d.). Soil Colour. Retrieved from http://www.missouricareereducation.org/doc/soilsci/SRLesson3.pdf
2. Odeh, I.O.A. and McBratney, A.B. 2005. Encyclopedia of Soils in the Environment.
3. Cleland, T.M. 1921. A practical description of the Munsell color system, with suggestions for its use.
4. Jackson, R.S. 2014. Wine Science, Fourth Edition: Principles and Applications (Food Science and Technology)