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Soil sieves, as shown, are used in the laboratory to find the texture of a soil sample - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question 1 - 2020
Question 1
Soil sieves, as shown, are used in the laboratory to find the texture of a soil sample. What is meant by the term soil texture? Using any suitable method, outl... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Soil sieves, as shown, are used in the laboratory to find the texture of a soil sample - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question 1 - 2020
Step 1
What is meant by the term soil texture?
Answer
Soil texture refers to the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay particles in a soil sample. This classification helps in understanding soil properties, such as water retention, aeration, and nutrient availability, which are critical for plant growth and soil management.
Step 2
Using any suitable method, outline the steps you would take to find the texture of a soil sample in the laboratory.
Answer
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Dry the soil: Ensure the soil sample is dry by placing it in an oven or allowing it to air dry.
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Crush the soil: Break up any lumps to create a uniform sample that can be sifted through the sieves.
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Weigh the soil: Weigh the total mass of the soil sample to facilitate calculation of percentages later.
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Arrange sieves: Stack the sieves in order from largest to smallest mesh size. Place the largest sieve on top and the smallest one at the bottom.
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Sieve the soil: Pour the soil sample into the top sieve and shake it to separate the soil particles according to size.
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Weigh soil in each sieve: Weigh the amount of soil collected in each sieve to determine the mass of each particle size.
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Refer to soil textural triangle: Use the weights collected from each sieve to refer to the soil textural triangle for classification.
Step 3
Give a reason behind any one of the steps in (b).
Answer
Crush the soil: Crushing the soil helps to break up large clumps, allowing for a more uniform size distribution when the soil is passed through the sieves. This ensures that all particle sizes can be accurately measured and classified.