Soil analysis

Introduction
Soil is a very important factor from the agricultural point of view. As the pollution is ever-rising
in the world, the soil is losing its quality due to unregulated dumping of debris. This leads to
formation of toxic sediments. [1]

This project involves the testing of the soil samples for three basic parameters- pH, conductivity
and moisture content.

pH determines whether the soil sample in question is acidic or basic. Specific conductance of the
soil sample is a measure of the amount of soluble salts present in the soil sample. [1] Moisture
content is the quantity of water present in the soil sample.

In this project, two samples of soil are tested- black soil and red soil.

Objectives of the project are:

1. To study the methods for determining the pH, conductivity and moisture content of the given
soil samples.

2. To get a comparative analysis of the two samples in relation to the above mentioned
parameters.

3. To determine which of the two soil samples best suits plats that are tolerant or sensitive to
acidic conditions.

Materials required:
Burette, pipette, conical flasks, beakers, water, pH meter, conductivity meter.

Method:
Determination of pH in the soil samples:

1. The suspension is stirred at regular intervals for 30 minutes. Then the pH is recorded. The
suspension must be stirred well just before the electrodes are immersed.

2. pH meter is calibrated with two buffers, one in acidic side and the other alkaline or neutral
range. The glass and calomel electrodes are inserted in suspension and pH measurement is made.
Determination of conductivity in the soil samples:

1. The conductivity of the suspended liquid is determined with the help of conductivity meter.
Measurements of electrical conductivity are determined on a saturation extract of the soil
supernatant liquid of 1:2 soil water suspensions.

2. Electrical conductivity is measured with the help of electrical conductivity meter. The
conductivity meter is to be calibrated and cell constant to be determined with a standard solution
of 0.7456 g of dry potassium chloride of 1 L of distilled water.

Determination of moisture content in the soil samples:

1. Weigh accurately a dry crucible china dish kept in the oven at 110 C overnight and cool in
desiccators.

2. Take 10 to 20 g of finely powdered soil sample in the same crucible.

3. Keep the sample in the oven at 105 C to 110 C for 16 hours.

4. Remove the sample from the oven and cool in a desiccators.

5. Take the weight again.

6. Repeat the process from step 3 to 5 till a constant weight is found.

Results:
Fig.1: Tabulated values of the samples pH and conductivity:

Sl. No pH Conductivity
Milli mohs/cm
Black soil 5.91 0.23
Red soil 7.84 0.68
Fig.2: Tabulations of the values determined for estimating the moisture content in the soil
samples:

Observation number Weight of the sample Weight of the sample Difference in weight
before drying W2 after drying W3
Sample 1 20 14.808 5.192
Black soil
Sample 2 20 19.125 0.875
Red soil
The moisture content of the soil as the percentage of

the dry sample soil weight is MC% = (W2-W3) / (W3-W1) X 100

Black soil = (20 14.8.8/ 29.102) X 100 = 17.840 %

Red soil = (20 19.125 / 24.78) X 100 = 3.531 %

Discussion:
Fig.1. shows that the black soil is comparatively more acidic than the red soil. Red soils pH is
around the neutral range. It is also observed that the conductivity of the red soil is higher than
that of the black soil.

It is supposed that there are significant correlations between soil pH and its conductivity. It is
reported that the conductivity is affected by calcium and bicarbonate ions present. [2]

It has also been reported that high H+ ions can sometimes prove toxic or at the very least be a
growth limiting factor when it comes to most of the plants. Acidic soil is usually buffered by
presence of aluminium ions in the nature. But in case of aluminium deficiency, the soil pH might
drop below 4 and prove to be unsuitable for plant growth. It is also noted that Al toxicity is also
of key concern in many plants. [3] However, the study of the two samples under consideration
shows that both the soil types have pH levels that suit plant growth to a moderate level.

Electrical conductivity is due to increased presence of salts in the soil sample. Soil salination is
one of the major factors of soil degradation. [4] Both the soil samples show low conductivity and
are hence suited for plant growth.

Fig.2. shows the values obtained during estimation of moisture content from which the moisture
percentage is determined. It is important to acquire a favorable ratio of water to air content in the
soil sample to ensure its usefulness. The air content of the soil is usually an inverse factor of the
moisture content of the sample. The soil that holds the correct balance between air and moisture
content is the most suited for plant growth. [5] It is observed that black soil holds more moisture
than the red soil sample.

Conclusion:
From the above results, it is concluded that while both the soil samples meet the three parameters
adequately to favor plant growth, each sample seem to have its own advantageous point. The red
soil though has less moisture holding capacity, has a neutral pH. This may favor the cultivation
of plants that are sensitive to acidic soil. The black soil may suit the cultivation of plants that
tolerate acidic conditions while enjoying the benefit of increased moisture holding capacity.

Reference:
[1] R.M.Verma, Analysis of Soils, in Analytical Chemistry Theory and Practice, 3rd ed. New
Delhi, India, CBS Publishers, 1987, pp 488-489.

[2] Jiangpei Han et al., Acidification and salinization of soils with different initial pH under
greenhouse vegetable cultivation, Journal of soils and sediments, vol.14, no.10, pp 1683-1692,
Oct, 2014.

[3] Petra.S.Kidd et al., Why plants grow poorly on very acid soils: are ecologists missing the
obvious?, Journal of Experimental Botany, vol.52, no.357, pp 791-799, Oct, 2000.

[4] Andr Dias de Azevedo Neto et al., Effects of salt stress on plant growth, stomatal response
and solute accumulation of different maize genotypes, Brazilian Journal of Plant Physiology,
vol.16, no.1, Jan / Apr, 2004.

[5] Paul.J.Kramer, Soil Moisture in Relation to Plant Growth, The Botanical Review, vol.10,
no.9, Nov, 1944.