Soil 🌻

The Importance of Soil:
Nutrients in soil: Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium 


Open pores are also required for water and air.


Importance:
  • Soils support roots and keep them upright for plant growth 
  • Soil provides important minerals to plants.
  • Soil protects plants form erosion.
  • Soil holds, releases and clean water and act as a filter.
  • Soil provides habitats for animals and insects to live in.
  • Soil absorbs carbon Dioxide 
What we have learned from soil is that it is a lot more than just dirt in the ground. It plays a very vital role. 

 It protects the plant from erosion adds important minerals to the plants. Releases and cleans water. 

 Supports the roots of the plant and absorbs carbon dioxide.  Without soil the world wouldn't be the same and that is why we need to protect our soil. 

 After the last 10 years we have lost around 50% of our earths soil, because of over population, deforestation and urbanization. If we continue at this rate we are going to run out of soil causing a huge problem.













https://www.eschooltoday.com/soils/importance-of-soils.html

Soil Practical Results: 

Practical 1: Soil Composition of our soil sample

AIM:
To observe and interpret the composition of sand, clay and silt particles in your sample of soil

INSTRUCTIONS:
·       Work out the soil composition of the soil that you wish to use in your Window Gardens.  Refer to soil practical 1.
·       Upload your results, observations and interpretations onto your blog.

Results:
Test Tube :
a)    Sand layer thickness = 2.0-0.2 mm

b)    Clay layer thickness = 0.02-0.002 mm

c)     Silt layer thickness = 0.02-0.002mm

d)    Other = 0.002mm

OBSERVATIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS:


1.         Take a photo of your soil composition and upload onto your blog.
BEFORE:                                                                                                 AFTER:
Soil Prac 1 Day 7
Soil Prac 1 Day 1
       
             







2.       What have you discovered about the composition of your soil?
           Initially the soil we used did not compose of any nutrients that would be vital for plant growth.  Since we have changed the soil we use in our window garden.  Our soil is loam soil and it composes of sand, silt and a little clay.  Our previous soil held to much water and the the composition wasn't good. 
           
3.         What is the importance of air and humus content in your soil?
      Humus retains more moisture adds mass to light soil and lightens heavy soil. It improves drainage of the soil. Air is needed for the micro-organism living in the soil to survive. Those micro-organism play an important role as it provides important nutrients
4.         What does the air and humus content mean for the plants your Window Garden?

 Humus makes soil more fertile  When humus is in soil, the soil will crumble. Air and water move easily through the loose soil, and oxygen can reach the roots of plants.  Thus leading to plants growing well and effectively.

 

Practical 2: Soil Classification and Texture of our soil

AIM:
To classify the type of soil you are going to use for your window farm and get a better idea of its texture and particle size.

INSTRUCTIONS:
·       Help classify your soil by feeling its texture and noting the particle sizes.  Refer to soil practical 2.
·       Upload your observations and interpretations onto your blog.

OBSERVATIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS:

1.         Describe the texture of your soil samples?

In the River Sand the sand is quite soft however there are a few tiny stones which make the overall texture rough.

2.         How would you classify your soil sample1 and 2?

River sand: Rock looking and of a lighter texture.
Clay Soil: Sand is in the soil, it is easily broken, damp much darker in texture.
3.         Explain the relationship between soil texture and soil water retention?

With the clay soil you can tell water plays an effect as it is quite damp and makes the soil softer. It is a good water absorber.

With the sand it is drier, and this helps as it will be found alongside a river and it does not absorb water.

4. What does this information about your soil texture mean for your window gardens?

We would use the clay soil as it is a good water absorber which is key when rowing pants.  Sand does get hot and absorbs heat whereas soil doesn’t and keeps the soil cool and the pants in it absorb sunlight well

Practical 3: Determining the water retention capacity of your soil.

AIM:
To determine the water retention of your soil sample

INSTRUCTIONS:
·       Test the water retention capacity of your soil.  Refer to soil practical 3.
  • Upload your observations and interpretations onto your blog.

RESULTS:
Table 1: 
Soil sample
Mass of soil (cm3
or g)
Amount of water that drained into glass beaker (ml)
Amount of water retained by the soil (ml)
Our soil
1 Scoop
25ml
75ml
River
1 Scoop
52ml
48ml

OBSERVATIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS:

Questions:


  1. Which soil sample retained more water? How much more did it retain?

Clay soil (27ml)

  1. Which soil sample retained less water?

River Soil

3         3. Can you explain why there may be differences in water content between the two soil samples?

 The one soil has more unused space and more air holes for the water to enter.


  1. Do you think that a high level of water retention in a soil is likely to be beneficial or harmful to plants growing in that soil? Suggest a reason.
A high level of water retention in soil is beneficial up to a point as you can’t overwater a plant as it will drown.

  1. What advantage would soil with a high amount of organic matter have over soil with a low amount of organic matter, as suggested by the results of this experiment?
With organic matter it absorbs the water better. It improves the soil structure and can also help prevent erosion. It holds important nutrients. 




     6.  What value is there in knowing the water content of your soil in your window
          garden?  
If your soil doesn't hold a lot of water then you will need to water your soil more often.  This is not always a bad thing as if your window garden requires water to drip from one bottle to the other it is not actually a bad thing. However our design does not require that so for us we need to look at how water content and if releases to much we should consider changing it as we want our soil to hold a good amount of water without flooding the plant. If your soil releases to little water it could flood your plant. 

 


CONCLUSION:

Can you identify your soil types based on the evidence of the experimental results?

Yes, loam soil.


What can you conclude about the different soil types water retention capacities?

 That different soil types are better for certain things. eg; River Soil for rivers as it composes of stones and is good for filtration.

 Based on your soil practical results, explain whether the soil you tested would be suitable to grow vegetables in your window garden and WHY? 

 After looking at our practicals we decided that our soil wasn't suitable and changed it. After the first practical our  water sample was very clear meaning it lacked important nutrients and had a little organic matter.  In practical 3 our soil retained to much water which isn't good for the drainage of the soil and the plant.