GROUP MEMBERS: Rating:

Abella, Joamy Mark A.

Baradan, RJ L.
Bayking, Khaneylla Grace P.
Branzuela, Laurence C.
Brigole, Maxine Claire
Butil, Jefrey M.

Course/ Year: BSABE-3A Date Submitted: 04-05-24

Laboratory Activity No: 1

Soil Type Determination

Introduction

Irrigation is often used on full-season agronomic or high value crops to provide a dependable yield

every year. It also is used on crops such as potatoes, flowers, vegetables and fruits where water stress

affects the quality of the yield. By such, irrigation provides a significant factor in achieving

agricultural success for many years (Scherer, 2022).

Under irrigation, soil and water compatibility is very important. If they are not compatible, the

applied irrigation water could have an adverse effect on the chemical and physical properties of the

soil. Determining the suitability of land for irrigation requires a thorough evaluation of the soil

properties, the topography of the land in the field and the quality of water to be used for irrigation.

Hence, basic understanding of soil/water/plant interactions will help irrigators efficiently manage

their crops, soils irrigation systems and water supplies.

In connection with these matters, soil testing guides farmers about soil imbalances and helps

them in using appropriate fertilizers or soil conditioners to address the identified problems. These

tests can prepare farmers to take preventative and corrective actions even before seeding the crop,

resulting in an uncompromised ultimate yield.

 Prior to soil testing, a basic soil determination was conducted by a group of Agricultural

Engineering Students in Davao del Sur State College. Due to the limited available instruments,

cylinder method was used on assessing the soil types. The sample was added by water and then

subjected for a 24-hour retention, under gravitational factor: soil type and depth retained at the base

of the cylinder since dense material tends to retain first at the bottom than light one. The following

information below are the results gathered on this activity.

Objectives

1. To determine the type of the soil sample

2. To be able to use textural triangle in naming/determining the type of the soil

3. To determine the percentage of sand, silt and clay of the soil sample

Materials and Methods

Materials used:

 Bolo – used for digging the soil

 Jar – used for storage of the soil sample

 Water – used to dilute the soil sample

 Wooden Stick- used for stirring the soil sample and water

 Phone- used for photo documentation

Procedures:

1. Soil sample was gathered from the field

2. Soil sample was air dried and disintegrated by hand manually

3. A 1kilogram of sample was taken, and place in a jar

4. Water was added on the sample, enough to fill up the jar

5. The slurry sample was placed in a stable area for 24-hours

6. After 24-hour, soil type depth was measured by a caliper

7. Soil type percentage was calculated based upon the depth of the soil type and the total depth

of the sample
Results and Discussion

Figure 1: Site Selection and sample collection

Site was selected according to the preference of the group; the soil was dug by a bolo and soil
sample was collected by a recycled plastic cup. The soil sample collected was air dried for a few
hours prior to release some moisture present in the soil sample. At the same time, soil samples were
disintegrated by hand without too much force applied to avoid disintegration of natural texture of the
different soil types.

Figure 2. Soil sample weighing

 A digital weighing scale was used to weigh the air-dried samples collected and stored in a jar.
One (1) kilogram of soil sample was used and prepared for another process.

Figure 3. Soil Sample Dilution

Water was used to dilute the air-dried soil sample. It was done to disintegrate properly the different
soil textures and types present in the sample. A wooden stick was used as stirring equipment. The
soil sample was mixed thoroughly until all were diluted; it was necessary prior for the next step.

Figure 4. Soil Sample Retention

 The diluted soil sample was placed in a safe area away from external disturbance that can
affect the retention time of the different soil types present in the sample. It was placed and kept for
24-hours, allowing gravitational force to act unto the soil sample to render at the bottom of the jar.

Figure 5. Soil sample depth measurement

The soil sample depth that settled in the jar was measured. It is notable that there are only 2
visible layers of soil type present in the sample. The bottom layer portrays a fine sand texture
whereas the upper layer portrays a similarity of silt soil type. Caliper was used to measure the depth
of the sample and the data was recorded. Foreign materials like small branches of wood were at the
topmost layer, floating along with the water.

Table 1. Soil sample depth per type

Soil Type Depth (mm) Depth Percentage

 sand 77 mm 84.15%
silt 14.5mm 15.85%
clay 0 mm 0%
Total 91.5 mm 100%
There were 2 visible layers on the jay after a 24-hour retention period. The bottom layer
portrays a similarities of sand soil type which has a depth of 77 mm and is equal to 84.15%, the
upper layer has some similarities to silt soil type and a depth of 14.5 mm or equal to 15.85%. The
total depth of the soil sample is 91.5mm. Assuming that there is no clay soil type present in the
sample, a soil triangle can be used to assess the specific soil type of the sample in the field.

Figure 6. Soil Textural Triangle

Based upon the result of the activity, using the soil textural triangle: the soil sample falls on
loamy sand type of soil. Therefore, the area where the soil sample was taken can be classified as
loamy sand type of soil. With these results, irrigation can be planned well by such criteria that the
activity gathered. This implies how crucial soil type determination is important in application of
water or irrigation if the field of reference will be used for agriculture.

Conclusion

Based upon the gathered results from the activity, the area where the sample was taken shows that
there is approximately 84.15% sand and 15.85% silt soil types. These soil types fall on the loamy
sand type soil using the soil textural triangle. Hence, in terms of soil infiltration: it will infiltrate
faster since there’s a higher percentage of sand.

The water holding capacity of the soil sample is low due to the qualities that sand possesses,
it will also absorb water faster but also release it faster. In application of irrigation, mode/interval
shall be closed since it cannot hold water nor retain it necessary for the plant to use. With all those
factors mentioned, a proper irrigation pattern/interval can be initiated to maximize the application of
water if the area were to be used for agriculture/planting.
 This simple activity shows how important soil determination is in achieving a successful
irrigation scheme. The soil determination could help farmers to assess how often they will water their
plant and or what kind of plant could grow on the soil type. Therefore, regular and repeated soil
sampling is the best management practice. The better you know your soil, the easier it will be to get
the best out of it.

Photo Documentation
Reference
Scherer, F. (2022, March). Soil, Water and Plant Characteristics Important to Irrigation.
ndsu.edu/agriculture/sites. Retrieved April 4, 2024, from
https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/sites/default/files/2022-03/ae1675.pdf