Group No.

2 Date Performed: January 24 and 31, 2019

Umerez, Benzon, and del Rosario Date Submitted: February 7, 2019

EXERCISE # 1

Soil Sampling, Preparation and Physical Analysis

(Soil Color, Texture, Moisture Content and Bulk Density)

I. Data and Observations

Table 1.1 Description of the soil sampling site.

Vegetation Slope Condition Time Weather Landmarks

Condition
Moderately Plain Not moist 10:00am- Cloudy Along Pili
vegetated with 12:00pm drive; Near
few weeds Binhing
Pamana farm

Table 1.2 Description of the soil obtained from sampling site.

Description Color Code Color Soil Condition Soil Texture

Sticky when wet; HVC 10YR 3/2 Dark grayish Moderately moist Sandy Clay
slightly gritty brown

Table 1.3 Data on the fresh weight and oven-dry weight of the sample.

Trial 1 Trial 2
Fresh Weight of Sample (FW), g 134.904 94.202
Oven-Dry Weight of Sample 108.195 75.624
(ODW), g

Table 1.4 Data on the gravimetric and volumetric moisture content of the soil sample.

Parameters Trial 1 Trial 2 Average +/- dev

Gravimetric Moisture 24.686 24.566 24.626 ± 0.06
Content, %MCd
Gravimetric Moisture 0.2468598364 0.2456627526 0.2462612945 ± 5.985x10-4
Fraction, θd
Volumetric Moisture 26.789 18.633 22.711 ± 4.078
Content, %MCv
Volumetric Moisture 0.267893681 0.1863390171 0.227116349 ±
Fraction, θv 0.04077733195
Bulk density (dry), ρ d 1.08194 0.75624 0.91909 ± 0.16285
Bulk density (wet), ρ w 1.34904 0.94202 1.14553 ± 0.20351

II. Results and Discussion

The exercise determined the soil moisture content of the sample soil that was obtained during
sampling. Soil sampling analysis was done near the Binhing Pamana Farm along Pili drive. Description of
the sampling area is presented at Table 1.1. There are different methods for random sampling which
include simple random sampling, systematic random sampling, stratified random sampling, cluster
sampling, and multistage sampling. The method used for soil sampling was simple random sampling. In
simple random sampling, each and every element has of the population has equal chance of being
selected in sample. It gives you a representative sample of the population and there is no possibility of
sampling biases (Alvi, 2016). Around 2-15 cm depth of soil was scraped off for soil analysis. Soil samples
are usually taken from 0-15 to 0-20 cm deep because at region, there is a large proportion of active root
zone (Vadas et al, na). The nutrient status of the soil can usually be depicted at around 0-15 cm since this
is the typical tillage depth and the depth of the topsoil. The soil sampling depth can vary depending on
the type of analysis that will be done. Also, sampling depth depends on the crop, cultural practices, tillage
depth, and the nutrients to be analyzed (Mahller and Tindall, 1990).

The soil color and texture of the soil were determined using the Munsell color chart and feel
method, respectively. Description of the color and texture of the soil sample Is presented at table 1.2. The
hue (or the specific color) of the soil sample was 10 YR, meaning it has a hue of yellowish-red. Value
denotes the lightness or darkness of the color. Chroma denotes the color intensity of the soil. The Munsell
notation of the sample was 10YR 3/2. The color of the soil was dark grayish brown. Soil color is used to
identify soil horizon or soil layers and help group soils according to the soil taxonomy. It can be used as a
clue to the mineral content of the soil. Color development and distribution of color within a soil profile
are part of weathering. Also, the amount of organic matter influences the color of the soil. Munsell color
chart allows direct comparison of soils (Pennsylvania Evironthon, 2003). Soil texture was determined using
the “feel” method. Soil texture refers to the distribution of sand, silt, and clay in the soil. It was done by
moistening fresh samples with distilled water and forming ribbons and rings by hand. The sand felt sticky
and gritty when moist, so it is classified under sandy clay. Soil texture can influence the amount of water
that can be held by the soil, the rate of water movement, and how fertile the soil is.

Soil sample for analysis was placed on a table and was allowed to air-dry. Large clods were broken
into smaller pieces. Oven-drying of the soil sample should be avoided before analysis because soil
chemical properties may be altered and can affect the results of the analysis (Walworth, 2006).

Soil moisture of the soil was also determined by soil core sampling. The core sampler was filled
with soil with care to avoid compression. Compaction of the core seems to account for the largest error
inherent to core sampling devices. Minimal force should be applied. Excessive force can cause large
deformations of the soil core near the edges can be expected. (Raper and Erbach, 1987). Soil compaction
can mechanically increase the density of the soil (Multiquip, 2011). Low porosity or high bulk density are
indicators for soil compaction. After filling the core samples with soil, the sampler was carefully removed,
excess soil on both ends of the cylinder were scraped off using the spatula ensuring an undisturbed or
intact soil core sample. It should be on its natural state because this can affect the soil bulk density. After,
obtaining the samples, the soil moisture (both gravimetric and volumetric) and the bulk density of the soil
sample were determined. Gravimetric moisture content is the mass of water per mass of dry soil.
Volumetric moisture content is the volume of liquid water per volume of soil. Soil bulk density is used for
ρsoil and is the ratio of soil dry mass to sample volume. Fresh weight of the sample was obtained after
soil sampling. After obtaining the fresh weight, the core samples filled with the soil sample were placed
in an oven until a constant weight was obtained. The data for the determination of the soil moisture
content and bulk density (both wet and dry) of the soil sample is presented at Table 1.4.

Errors during the experiment were committed especially in the weighing of the oven-dried
samples. There was a loss of the sample soil during the weighing process of the oven-dried samples due
to the loosely covering of foil. This can affect the mass of the oven-dried soil since it will become lower
than the expected value.

III. Conclusion

The soil sample was obtained via random sampling method. The soil color was determined using
the Munsell color chart and the color of the soil based from the Munsell color chart was dark grayish
brown with a Munsell notation of 10YR 3/2. Soil texture of the soil was sandy clay and it was determined
using the “Feel” method.

After soil sampling, the soil moisture content of the sample (both gravimetric and volumetric) was
obtained. The gravimetric moisture content and volumetric moisture content of the soil sample are
24.626% and 22.711%, respectively. The bulk density (wet) and bulk density (dry) of the sample are
1.14553 and 0.91909, respectively.

IV. Literature Cited

Alvi, M. (2016). A Manual for Selecting Sampling Techniques in Research. University of Karachi, Iqra
University

Mahler, R.L., and Tindall, T.A. (1990). Soil Sampling. University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho

Multiquip. (2011). Soil Compaction Handbook. Retrieved at

https://www.multiquip.com/multiquip/pdfs/Soil_Compaction_Handbook_low_res_0212_DataId_5
9525_Version_1.pdf

Pennsylvania Evironthon. (2003). The Color of Soil. Retrieved from

http://www.envirothonpa.org/documents/munsellcharts.pdf?fbclid=IwAR11PhtEdT58RC0Pp8x_Qq
6K-ymDPp4Y3FMbxmU5zMVApYC_iOt6kl_69YY

Raper, R.L., and Erbach, D.C. (1987). Bulk Density Measurement Variability with Core Samplers. Retrieved
at https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/60100500/csr/ResearchPubs/raper/raper_87a.pdf

Vadas, P.A., Mallarino, A.P., and McFarland, A. (na). The Importance of Sampling Depth when Testing
Soils for their Potential to Supply Phosphorus to Surface Runoff. Retrieved at
https://sera17dotorg.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/sera-17-soil-sampling-depth-position-paper-
2005.pdf

Walworth, J.L. (2006). Soil Sampling and Analysis. Arizona Cooperative Extension. University of Arizona.