MODULE 2: SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

MODULE OVERVIEW:

To begin to understand soil, simply dig a hole! Looking at the exposed

soil reveals several obvious physical aspects. Initially, you see that soil
has many colors - it is not simply brown or red or black. Next, you notice
patterns in the color. The upper portion of the soil is darker (browner or
blacker) than the materials below, and the colors appear in horizontal
bands or layers. A closer examination reveals that plant roots are more
common in the upper layers. Furthermore, the soil is composed of
clumps, clods, or aggregates that are made up of still smaller particles.
There is also a different feel from the top layer to the bottom in terms of
how easy it is to dig or break apart. These simple observations identify
many of the key physical characteristics, or morphology, of soil: color,
texture, structure, consistency, and horizons. Soil scientists use these
characteristics to create a soil's profile description (also referred to as
the soil morphology).

MODULE OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES
At the end of this module, the student is expected to:
 Describe soil texture and color;
 Differentiate the use soil density and particle density;
 Explain the soil consistency and moisture
LESSONS IN THE MODULE
Lesson 1: Soil Color
Lesson 2: Soil Texture and Structure
Lesson 3: Soil Density and Particle Density
Lesson 4: Soil Consistency and Moisture
MODULE 2: SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Lesson 1: Soil Color

Learning Outcomes:

 Define soil color

 Know to use Munsell color chart
 Classify the 3 attributes of soil color

Time Frame: one week

Introduction:

This Lesson focuses on describing soil color. Soil color and the
color patterns in soil can tell you a lot about the soil. It is an especially
good indicator of soil wetness and hydric soils. The primary components
that give a soil its color are soil organic matter, iron, and the color of soil
particles. The Munsell Soil Color System is the standard we use to
document soil color. When documenting soil color it is important to note
matrix color, mottle colors, and type, location and abundance of mottles.
Learning Guide

Soil Color
Soil color is an important indicator of soil conditions. It reveals considerable
information about any given soil. The soil can take several shades of colors such as:
• Brown-Black where dark soils result from the level of organic matter contents
which is usually high in waterlogged soils.
• White-Light grey which indicate leaching of coloring materials such as organic
matter, or due to accumulation of lime or salts.
• Yellow-Red soils contain iron oxides in well-drained soils
• Mottling Color develops when the soil is waterlogged for part of the year. Patches
of different colors are shown. Soil color is described by using the munsell system in a
soil color chart.
Soil Color can be measure using Soil Munsell Chart
3 attributes/aspects of soil Color
Hue- dominant spectral color
-most common soil hues are
in the red-to-yellow range.
-is the color: red, yellow,
green etc. On the chart, hue
is listed as red (R) or
yellow-red (YR) or yellow (Y)

Value- degree of lightness/

darkness of a color.
- is the lightness and darkness
of the color. It ranges from
0 (black) to 10 (white).

Chroma- strength of dominant Spectral color/ Brighter colors have higher

numbers.
Reading of Soil Color
Optimum Conditions:
 a. Natural Light
 b. Clear sunny day
 c. Light at right angels
 d. soil is moist
 e. no sunglasses

ANALYSIS
Direction: Answer the questions concisely. The answers will be graded based in the
rubrics below:

1. Black or brown color near the soil surface is usually due to what?

2. Soil color is defined in reference to what standard?

 APPLICATION
Direction: Draw a Munsell color chart showing the Hue, Value, and Chroma. Then,
describe each aspects.

Congratulations for completing this Module 2 Lesson 1. Great job!