To Collect Soil From at Least Two Different Sites And Study For Texture And Moisture Content Of Soils.

Aim: - 

To collect soil form at least two different sites and stud for texture and moisture content of soils.

REQUIREMENT:-

Hand lens, polythene bags, measuring cylinders, beaker, scalpes, distilled water, glass rod, digger, test tubes, glass rod for stirring, meshes of different pore size. etc.

PROCEDURE: - 

(A)    Study of Soil from different sites for texture:

1.    Collect soils samples from two different sites like - garden soil, crop field, river bank, roadside etc, and pack in polythene bags and bring them to the laboratory.

2.    Examine dry samples by a hand lens and feel it between fingers. See and note down in your notebook the soil texture and record observation.

3.    Allow the solution to stand undisturbed for about half-an-hour.

4.    The soil particles will gradually settle down in cylinder in various layers according to their sizes.

5.    Similarly, record relative percentage of different types of soil particles present in different soil samples.

OBSERVATION:-

Heavy particles settle down first and lighter ones afterwards. Humus floats on the water surface. Observe these layers carefully and record you observation in tabular form as under:

RESULT:-

Soil is mixture of different mineral particles refers to the relative proportion of size group of individual soil particles. The soil samples from different sites can be classified into basically three categories:

PRECAUTIONS:

1.    Observe the soil particles carefully.

2.    Soil samples should be separately packed and brought to the laboratory.

3.    Stir the soil well in measuring cylinder and place it undisturbed for about an hour.

4.    Note carefully measures and their relative percentage should be accurately calculated. 

(B)     Study of soil from different sites for moisture content:

REQUIRMENTS:-

Soil samples, oven, physical balance, test tube or box containers, crucible, burner, tripod weight box, matchbox.

PROCEDURE:-

1.    Take little sample soil and weight it on a physical balance. Record the weight.

2.    Now place the soil in a suitable box container and place it in the oven at a temperature of 105' C for about 24 hours.

                                                                        OR

        Keep the soil sample in a crucible and heat it over the flame till all moisture evaporates and soil is dry.

3.    Let the soil cool, then again take the weight of dried soil. Record the weight.

4.    Follow the same process till all soil samples are studied.

OBSERVATIONS:-

Record the initial and final weights of each sample and the differences between initial and final weights in the form of the table. Higher difference between initial and final weight shows higher moisture contents in the soil.

                                                                OBSERVATION TABLE

CALCULATION:- 

RESULT:-

After the gravitational water was has moved down to the water table the remaining water contents of soil is called moisture content of the soil. It is the percentage amount of water left in a saturated soil.

(a) ................. Soil has ........... % highest moisture contents.   (b)     ......... Soil has .......... % lowest moisture contents.

PRECAUTIONS:-

1.    Recording of weights must be correctly done.

2.    The soil samples should be of same weight.

3.    Take samples of soil form different locations.