EXERCISE NO.

Study of Soil Profile

I. Introduction

A typical soil is 50 percent solids and 50 percent pore spaces by volume.

The solid portion is composed of 45 percent mineral or organic matter and 5
percent organic matter. Mineral matter comes from the weathering of rocks and
minerals, the soil parent material, while organic matter comes from the
decomposition of plant parts and animal remains. On the other hand, the pore
spaces are occupied by both air and water.

If we examine a road cut or dig a portion of the land to a depth of 5-10 m,

this block of soil is called a pedon. Further, if you make a clean cut at one side of
the pedon, you are actually looking at a soil profile, defined as a vertical section of
the soil from the surface down through the different layers (called the horizons) to
the loose weathered rock material, the parent material.

A soil horizon is a layer of soil approximately parallel to the surface with

distinct physical and chemical properties. The horizons are designated an A, B and
C horizon. The A horizon (surface soil) is the zone of maximum leaching and
organic matter accumulation hence, is usually darker in color than the lower
horizons. The B horizon (subsoil) is the horizon of accumulation of substances
leached from the A horizon. It is usually lighter in color and generally finer in
texture than that of the A horizon. The C horizon is the parent material composed
of partly decomposed or weathered rocks. This material is from the soil was
derived.

II. Objectives

1. To familiarize the student on the development of soil profile and the

different processes of soil development;
2. To familiarize the student with the characteristics which differentiate one
soil to another and one soil horizon to another;
3. To provide the student an experience in studying soil profile in the field;
and
4. To enable the student understand the basic nature and characteristics of
soils in general.

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III. Materials

1. Photographs of soil profiles representing the 12 soil orders (in tarpaulin)

2. Soil profile worksheet for data recording
3. Measuring/recording materials (foot ruler, meter stick, pencil/ballpen)
4. Digging/cutting tools (spade, iron bar, trowel, small knife, bolo)

IV. Procedure

The instructor will give a brief introduction on the nature of soils, the
various soil-forming process contributory to horizon development and soil
formation and development, and description of a typical soil profile. He/she will
likewise show photographs of soil profiles representing the 12 soil orders will be
shown in powerpoint presentation.

The students will take note of the terminologies and symbols used in
describing the various soil horizons. After the powerpoint presentation, they will
further observe the representative soil profiles (in tarpaulin) taking note of the
features that distinguish one soil order to another (Worksheet 3a). After observing
the soil profiles in the laboratory, the class will later go out to a nearby road cut or
dig a pit in one of the experimental sites of the university. After making a clean
cut of one of the side of the pit, the instructor will give instructions on how to
examine the profile as follows:

1. Delineate the boundary between the surface soil (horizon A) and the
subsoil (horizon B). Observed the difference I color and plant roots
distribution in the profile.
2. Measure the thickness of the surface soil and the subsoil.
3. Observe the surrounding area and take note of the following:
topography, drainage, soil fertility using plant stand around the area as
an index.
4. Take note also of the colors that you observe in the profile.

The students will examine the soil profile individually and make the required
observations which are to be recorded in the worksheet 3.

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V. Study Questions

1. What are the main features of the soil profile you observed? Based on the
features you observed give a general description of the soil such as soil
texture, color, depth, and the root distribution.

2. What properties of the soil profile determine the crop to be planted?

3. What is the importance of studying the soil profile?

4. Is there an effect of a thick solum on crop growth? Which is more beneficial

to crop growth a thick or a thin solum? Support your answer.

References:

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 Worksheet 3a- Laboratory Study of Representative Soil Profiles

Soil Order Description Representative Soil Location &

Profile Distinct
(Cut out/Drawing) Characteristic(s)
Gelisol

Histosol

Spodosol

Andisol

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 Soil Order Description Representative Soil Location &
Profile Distinct
(Cut out/Drawing) Characteristic(s)
Oxisol

Vertisol

Aridisol

Ultisol

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 Soil Order Description Representative Soil Location &
Profile Distinct
(Cut out/Drawing) Characteristic(s)
Mollisol

Alfisol

Inceptisol

Entisol

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 Worksheet 3b- Field Study of Soil Profile

Place Description: Date:

Soil Profile Description

Property Horizon A Horizon B
1. Solum thickness, cm
2. Color

3. Approximate soil texture

by feel method (Coarse,
medium or fine)
4. Presence of roots (present
or absent)

If roots are present

indicate the density (many
or few/sparse)
5. Structure (granulation)

6. Presence of soil organisms

(earthworms, termites
etc.)
7. Nature of parent material
(tuff, limestone, alluvial
deposits, etc.)
8. Drainage/aeration
condition (presence or
absence of mottles)