Second Lab Report: Pandan Maize Companion
Second Lab Report: Pandan
Maize Companion
Date
of Submission: 3rd April 2018
Report
Contents: 1. Soil Moisture Analysis
2. Soil pH Analysis
3. Soil Water Holding Capacity Analysis
SOIL
MOISTURE ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
Soil moisture is the water
present in the space between the soil particles that influences the physical,
chemical and biological characteristic of the soil. Soil moisture shows the
general moisture content of the soil. It is the major component of the soil in relation
for the plant growth. Soil water will dissolves salt and make up the soil
solution, which is important as medium for supply of a nutrient to growing
plants. Soil moisture is a key variable in
land-atmosphere interactions: the variations of soil moisture in response to
atmospheric conditions which include precipitation, radiation and evaporation
demand impact surface turbulent and radiate heat fluxes, thereby potentially
feeding back on atmospheric conditions (Alexis Berg, et al., 2014). Therefore, it is clearly shown that a
slightly change in environment factors such as rain precipitation and
temperature can affect the soil moisture directly.
OBJECTIVES
• To determine the soil moisture
• To learn the factor that affect soil moisture
• To understand the concept of soil moisture
MATERIAL AND APPARATUS
- Portable soil
moisture tool
- Oven
- Plastic hexagonal
dish
- Electronic weighing
balance
- Air dry FSSA
ground soil
PROCEDURE
Method A: Using Electronic Weighing Balance
- The soil moisture
of the soil sample that were air dry on the previous lab week was checked.
- The soil sample
was put in the oven and was heated up to 80 degrees for about an hour to
completely dry the soil.
- The soil sample
was then weight using the electronic weighing balance after the soil
sample had completely dried out.
Method
B: Using Portable Soil Moisture Tool
- Before watering
the plant, the soil moisture of the plant soil was checked using the
portable soil moisture tool.
- The results of the
soil moisture of every plant soil were recorded.
RESULTS
A) Using electronic weighing
balance
Table 1: Shows the soil moisture content in FSSA
ground soil.
Soil Sample
|
Initial weight before air dry (g)
|
Final weight after air dry
(g)
X
|
Final weight after heating (g)
Y
|
Moisture content (g)
(X-Y)
|
Moisture content (%)
|
Lake Ground Soil
|
100.3
|
90.1217
|
88.7
|
1.4217
|
0.016
|
B) Using portable soil moisture
tool
Table 2: The soil moisture reading of FSSA ground soil
in different pots.
Pot (Type of
plants)
|
Reading 1
|
Reading 2
|
Reading 3
|
Average Moisture
|
Pot A
(Pandan Maize)
|
7.8
|
7
|
6
|
6.9
|
Pot B
(Pandan + Tadong Peanut Seed)
|
Wet
|
5.5
|
8
|
6.7
|
Pot C
(Pandan + Cotton Seed)
|
Wet
|
6.8
|
7
|
6.9
|
Pot D
(Pandan +
Butterfly Pea Seed)
|
8
|
8
|
7.6
|
7.8
|
Pot E
(Pandan + Swiss
Chard)
|
Wet
|
Wet
|
8
|
8
|
DISCUSSION
Based on table 1, the soil
moisture content is 0.016%. The soil texture that we used is loam taken from
the lakeside of FSSA. This soil texture has intermediate texture between clays and sandy soils. The
presence of clay and silt in this texture allows it to bind to water molecules
due to its large surface area exposed for water binding and also the fine
particle sizes of silt and clay makes it easy for this soil texture to trap and
retain water.
In this
experiment, we only used one type of soil to differentiate the moisture content
of the soil in five pots. Based on table 2, it shows the soil moisture in each
of the pot with different type of plants is different and the average range for
all pot is between 6.0 and 8.0. This shows the soil exhibits a balanced texture.
Loam soil is known for easily to retain water as well as its moist. Loam soil is known for being able to easily
retain water, as well as for its moist and gritty texture. Some soils naturally
have a loamy texture, while others require some amendment in order to have
loamy traits.
Since we only used one type of soil, our plants can adapt and grow well as it
is suitable as medium of growing plant. There are also a few reading shows the
soil was wet when we do the measurement. Wet soil show all the pore spaces full
with water. There are slightly difference in the reading of soil moisture due to the constant
exposure to rainfall and also watering.
CONCLUSION
In
conclusion, different soil texture with different soil mineral composition
results in different ability to hold water. As we can conclude, loam soils are able to hold water and it give benefits
especially for plants as medium for growth. In this experiment,
soil pH, soil water holding capacity and soil moisture are important
characteristics to be understood in order to give better soil management. Environmental conditions must also be considered when watering
plants—factors such as light, temperature, humidity, plant health, soil type,
etc. will impact how much and how often a particular plant needs to be watered.
In general, plants in higher temperatures and higher light will require more
frequent watering than plants in lower light and lower temperatures. All of these
factors need to be considered when watering plants—making watering interior
plants a science. Hands-on practice is also a key to watering plants
successfully.
APPENDIX
Figure 1: The moisture tester
sensor show the soil moisture is 7.6
Figure 2: The sensor shows the soil moisture is over
wet.
REFERENCE
1.Devashish
Kar. 2016. Epizootic Ulcerative Fish Disease Syndrome. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/book/9780128025048
(2/4/18)
SOIL pH ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
Soil pH is a measurement that indicates the
alkalinity or acidity of soil. It is calculated by finding the negative
logarithm of the concentration of hydrogen ions in the soil, and ranges from 0
to 14. The lower a soil’s pH the more acidic it is, and the higher the pH, the
more alkaline the soil is. Soil with a pH of 7 is considered neutral. Soil pH is
an important measurement because the acidity or alkalinity of soil determines
how easily plants can absorb nutrients from it.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the pH of soil.
MATERIAL AND APPARATUS
- Spatula
- Glass rod
- Filter paper
- Filter funnel
- pH paper
- Beaker
- pH meter
- Soil
- Test tube
- Deionized water
PROCEDURE
Method A: Using
portable soil pH meter
1. Before watering
the plant, the soil pH for every pots of the plants were checked using the
portable soil pH meter.
2. The results of
soil pH for every pots were recorded in a table.
Method B: Using pH
paper
1. A few spoonful of
soil was transferred into a beaker and mixed the soil with deionized water then
stirred it.
2. The solution was
filtered into a folded filter paper placed on a funnel sitting on a test tube.
3. A pH paper was
used to test the pH of each filtered soil solution.
4. The pH paper was
dipped into the solution and was left for it to dry.
5.
The colour was noted and compared to the colour chart indicator paper. Photo of
the result was taken.
Method C: Using pH
meter
1. Before watering
the plant, the soil pH for every pots of the plants were checked using the
portable soil pH meter.
2. The results of
soil pH for every pots were recorded in a table.
RESULTS
A) Using portable
soil pH meter
Table
1 shows the pH readings of FSSA ground soil in different pots that are planted
with different seeds.
Pot
|
Reading 1
|
Reading 2
|
Reading 3
|
Average
|
A (Pandan Maize only)
|
5.4
|
5.5
|
5.2
|
5.4
|
B (Pandan Maize + Tadong
Peanut seed)
|
5.0
|
4.5
|
5.3
|
4.9
|
C (Pandan Maize + Cotton
seed)
|
5.4
|
5.4
|
5.5
|
5.4
|
D (Pandan Maize +
Butterfly Pea seed
|
5.4
|
5.2
|
5.4
|
5.3
|
E (Pandan Maize + Swiss
Chard seed)
|
5.1
|
5.0
|
5.2
|
5.1
|
B) Using pH paper
The results of soil
pH paper shows that the FSSA ground soil solution is pH 5.
C) Using pH meter
Type of solution
|
Reading 1
|
Reading 2
|
Reading 3
|
Average
|
FSSA ground soil solution
|
5.36
|
5.36
|
5.35
|
5.36
|
DISCUSSION
Soil pH is the measure of the concentration
of hydrogen ions in the soil. The pH of soil will determine the solubility in
the soil that will also affect the availability of plant nutrients and plant
growth. The optimum soil pH for most plants is between 5.5 and 7.0.
Pandan maize can be grown
under a wide range of soil pH, but the optimum pH range is from 5.0 to 7.0.
Peanuts grows well in a soil pH between 6.0 and 6.8. A soil pH between 5.8 and 8.0
is needed for good cotton growth, with a more optimum range of 6.0 to 6.5.
Butterfly pea and Swiss chard best grown in a soil pH from 6.6 to 7.5 and 6.0
to 6.8 respectively. However, Butterfly pea can still grows in weakly acidic
soil and well adapted to alkaline soils.
From the results of using
portable soil pH meter, we can see that different pots have different soil pH
although the type of soil used in every pots are the same type. The lowest pH
value we can get from the result is 4.9 which is the soil pH of pot planted
with Pandan Maize and Tadong peanut seeds. Most of the soil in the pots shows quite
low values and are acidic for plant growth after tested using portable pH
meter. The results by using pH paper and pH meter in lab also have shown that
the FSSA soil solution is acidic where its pH ranging between 5 and 5.4. Acidic
soil are low in minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium which are
essential for plant growth but high in aluminum which is toxic to the plant.
This have shown that FSSA
plant soil are not the best soil for plant growth since some of the seeds are
not germinate yet or have slower germination rate compared to other plants.
From our daily observation, Pandan maize are the first to germinate, have the
fastest germination rate and growth rate, since the soil pH are still in the
Pandan maize plants pH range. This followed by the Butterfly pea which
germinate after Pandan Maize. However, the soil is not suitable for Tadong
peanuts, Swiss chard and cotton seeds and have affected the germination of the
seeds. This is because the soil pH is acidic for the seedlings to germinate
especially cotton is among the most sensitive crops to low pH soils.
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, soil pH is one of the
important factor that can highly influence the germination and growth of plants
in soil. We are able to determine the pH of soil by using portable pH meter, pH
paper and pH meter in lab. Based on the results, the soil pH of FSSA ground
soil is acidic and have the pH range between 5.0 and 5.5. Only Pandan Maize and
Butterfly Pea plants are adapted to the acidity of the soil and germinate.
Therefore, we need to consider the optimum soil pH that are suitable for
different plant growth before planting seeds to ensure healthy plant growth.
REFERENCE
1. http://www.cfr.washington.edu/classes.esrm.410/pH.htm
2. https://www.maximumyield.com/definition/113/soil-ph
3. http://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/special_features/soil_ph_test_experiment.pdf
APPENDIX
Figure 1: The pH meter shows the soil solution is pH 5.36.
Figure 2: The test of soil pH was conducted using portable pH meter.
SOIL WATER HOLDING CAPACITY ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
Soils are a lot
like sponges in the way they hold and release water through a range of
saturation. The ability of a soil to hold water is called as soil water holding
capacity. It is considered as a useful information
for irrigation scheduling, crop selection, groundwater contamination
considerations, estimating runoff and determining when plants will become
stressed. Water holding capacity varies by soil texture. The amount of pore
space and relative quantity and variety of pore sizes affect the soil’s water
holding capacity. Water holding capacity also affected by the amount of organic
matter. Increased levels of organic matter and associated soil fauna lead to
greater pore space with the immediate result that water infiltrates more
readily and can be held in the soil (Roth, 1985). The improved pore space is a
consequence of the bioturbating activities of earthworms and other
macro-organisms and channels left in the soil by decayed plant roots. Organic
matter contributes to the stability of soil aggregates and pores through the
bonding or adhesion properties of organic materials, such as bacterial waste
products, organic gels, fungal hyphae and worm secretions and casts. Moreover,
organic matter intimately mixed with mineral soil materials has a considerable
influence in increasing water holding capacity. Especially in the topsoil,
where the organic matter content is greater, more water can be stored.
OBJECTIVES
1. To learn the
field method in determining the soil’s water holding capacity.
2. To determine
the water holding capacity of the soil sample.
APPARATUS AND MATERIALS
1. Electronic
weighing balance
2. Filter paper
3. Tin
4. Soil sample
5. Plastic
container
6. Water
7. Plastic rod
PROCEDURE
1.
Holes are made at
the bottom of the tin box.
2.
A filter paper is
placed at the bottom of the tin box.
3.
The tin along with
the filter paper is weight.
4.
Some soil is taken
and transferred into the tin box.
5.
The soil is pressed
gently as compact as possible until a uniform layer on top.
6.
The tin box with
soil is weighed and its weight is noted.
7.
Water is poured into
a weight plastic container and two small plastic rod is used to support the tin
float in contact in water.
8.
The tin box is leave
undisturbed until water surface on top of the soil and soil is moist.
9.
The tin is lifted
and dripping water from the tin box bottom is wiped before measure the weight.
RESULTS
Soil sample
(FSSA ground
soil)
|
Weight of tin
+ filter paper
(A)
|
Weight of tin
+ filter paper + soil sample
(B)
|
Weight of tin
+ filter paper + wet soil
(D)
|
Weight of dry
soil B-A=C
|
Weight of wet
soil D-A=E
|
Mass of water
absorbed by soil E-C=N
|
% of water
holding capacity
|
A
|
10.1
|
355.85
|
452.20
|
345.75
|
442.10
|
96.35
|
27.87%
|
B
|
10.1
|
355.86
|
458.10
|
345.76
|
448.00
|
102.24
|
29.57%
|
We can calculated the percentage of water capacity by using this
formula:
N/E X 100
N=mass water absorb by soil
E=weight of wet soil
DISCUSSION
Soil water
holding capacity is the amount of water that a given soil can hold for crop
use. The water holding capacity of grow medium is controlled by the texture,
composition and amount of organic matter content it contains.
Soil water
holding capacity is controlled primarily by the soil texture and the soil
organic matter content. Besides, soil texture is a reflection of the particle
size distribution of a soil. An example is a silt loam soil that has 30% sand,
60% silt and 10% clay sized particles. Generally, the higher the percentage of
silt and clay sized particles, the higher the water holding capacity. The small
particles (clay and silt) have a much large surface area than the larger sand
particles. This large surface area allows the soil to hold a greater quantity.
The water holding capacity also influences by the amount of organic matter in a
soil. As the level of organic matter increases in a soil, the water holding
capacity also increases. This is due to the affinity of organic matter for
water.
A soil with a
higher water holding capacity will remain to wet and eventually rot off the roots,
while a soil that is too dry unable to supply enough nutrients to the plant.
The clay soil has the highest water holding capacity while the sand soil has
the least (clay>silt>sand). Clay soil are so tiny and have many small
pore space that make sure the water move slow which it have the highest water
holding capacity. Sandy soil have a good drainage but low water and nutrient
holding capacities. In addition, organic matter provides nutrients and habitat
to organisms living in the soil which bind soil particles into aggregates and
improves the water holding capacity of the soil. Mostly, soil content 2-10
percent organic matter. Organic matter is very important even in small amounts.
Based on the
observation, there were one type of soil sample that have been taken for
analysis which are soil from FSSA ground soil. FSSA ground soil sample recorded
percentage 27.87% and 29.57% of water holding capacity. The soil are
categorized as loam. As loam soil are the best type of soil absorbs the most
water. A combination of sand, silt and particles, this soil absorbs water
readily and is able to store it for use by plants. Soil is a valuable resource
that supports plant, life and water. It is an essential component in water
holding capacity.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the
characteristic of soil most important in determining water holding capacity is
permeability because permeability determines how quickly water and air flow
through a material. As the permeability of a soil is high, the water quickly
flows through the soil and it has a low water holding capacity. Whereas if the
soil has low permeability that it has a high water holding capacity because the
water does not move quickly. This experiment shows the process of soil sampling
and identification. Furthermore, understanding how to use soil sample to
identify the types of soil in a given area is important in knowing what types
of soils is suitable to be used in agriculture and architecture.
REFERENCES
1. Jessica Sheppard and Fran Hoyle.
Water Availability. Retrived on 30 Mac 2018
https://s3.amazonaws.com/soilquality-production/fact_sheets/12/original/Phys_-_Water_Availability_web.pdf.
2. Christina Curell. (2011). Why is
soil water holding capacity important. Retrived on 30 Mac 2018
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/why_is_soil_water_holding_capacity_important
3. M.A. Naeth, A.W. Bailey, D.S.
Chanasyk, AND DJ. Pluth. Water holding capacity of litter and soil organic
matter in mixed prairie and fescue grassland ecosystems of Alberta. Retrived on 30 Mac 2018
https://journals.uair.arizona.edu/index.php/jrm/article/viewFile/8549/8161
4. B. Minasny and A.B McBratney.
(2017). Limited effect of organic matter on soil available water capacity.
European Journal of Soil Science. Retrived on 30 Mac 2018
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/ejss.12475
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