Factors That Affect Soil

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EDAPHIC FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE PROPERTIES OF DIFFERENT SOIL SAMPLES Carmen Sophia T. Rubia INTRODUCTION Edaphic factors influence properties of the soil brought about by its physical and chemical characteristics and plays an important role in the environment and to the living organisms inhabiting it, especially plants. Plants generally obtain nutrient elements and water from soil. The importance of soil features to plants is that edaphic factors could influence on plant ecology and shaping plant evolution. Soil is the foundation of all terrestrial habitats and plays an important role in determining the type of vegetation. Soil features could also directly influence the animal evolution. These direct effects of soils on biota are supplemented…show more content…
Soil texture classification The soil texture can be identified or classified by using two methods: the feel method and Particle size analysis (PSA) which is the method we only conducted. 20mL is needed to be collected from each soil sample and to be grinded using the mortar and pestle. The sample then is placed through a 2mm sieve to remove stones. The soil sample should be as fine as dust. The soil is transferred to a large beaker and that is placed with 200mL of salty water that is to be swirled until the soil and water are thoroughly mixed. The mixture is placed in an ordinary graduated cylinder. The graduated cylinder will be placed on a flat surface that is remained undisturbed for 24 hours or until all the soil particles had settled down or when the water will become clear. Measurement of the thickness of the last layer should be noted to calculate the percentage of each layer using the formula: % particle = (thickness of layer / total thickness of settled sediments) x…show more content…
20 grams of soil is placed into a beaker then 100mL of distilled water is added and shake vigorously for 15 minutes. The mixture is set aside until the heavy particles have settled. The same material is used from the pH procedure in measuring the soil conductivity. The probe of the conductivity meter should be well immersed in the suspension. This will be done in three trials and get the average conductivity. The same procedure is conducted to all soil samples. Water content 10 grams of air-dried soil sample is secured to be placed in an evaporating dish and placing it in an oven at about 105ᵒC. The sample is reweighted after 10 minutes interval such that the weight becomes constant. The water content is recorded in percent (%) using the formula: %moisture = [(wet weight – dry weight) / wet weight] x 100. The same procedure is conducted to all soil samples. Organic

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