Properties of Soil

PROPERTIES OFSOIL
        Soil shows various characteristics like: 
Percolation rate of water in different type of Soil 
•    Take three PVC pipes of about 5 cm diameter and 20 cm length.
•    Select three different sites or places having soil of different types, say sandy, clayey and loamy.
•    Now place the three PVC pipes about 2 cm deep in the ground (Fig. 8.8).
•    Pour 200 mL water with the help of a graduated beaker in each pipe slowly.
•    Note the time taken to pour 200 mL water till all the water in the pipe has seeped into the ground.
    Calculate the rate of percolation for the three sites separately as follows :

Using the formula, calculate the percolation rate for soil at sites B and C also.
Greater the spaces between soil particles greater will be percolation rate. On the basis of this, properties of soil particles can be determined. 

Properties of soil

All soil contain mineral particles, organic matter, water and air. The combinations of these determine the soil’s properties – its texture, structures is made up of different-sized particles. Soil texture refers to the size of the particles that make up the soil and depends on the proportion of sand, silt and clay-sized particles and organic matter in the soil. Sandy soils feel gritty when rubbed between your fingers. Silts feel smooth – a little like flour. Most clays are sticky and mouldable. If you’ve ever used pottery clay, you’ll know the feelinge, porosity, chemistry and colour.