Scribd
Upload
97 views

Soil Profile

The document describes an activity to familiarize students with soil profile description. Students will observe soil profiles, identify different soil horizons based on characteristics like depth, color, texture and structure. Horizons include O (organic), A (topsoil), E (bleached), B (subsoil), C (parent material) and R (bedrock). Students will record horizon observations, draw a profile, and discuss how soil forming factors impact horizon formation. The activity aims to teach horizon identification and understand the profile's significance for understanding soil development and plant growth conditions.

Uploaded by

Jobert Arcilla
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
97 views

Soil Profile

The document describes an activity to familiarize students with soil profile description. Students will observe soil profiles, identify different soil horizons based on characteristics like depth, color, texture and structure. Horizons include O (organic), A (topsoil), E (bleached), B (subsoil), C (parent material) and R (bedrock). Students will record horizon observations, draw a profile, and discuss how soil forming factors impact horizon formation. The activity aims to teach horizon identification and understand the profile's significance for understanding soil development and plant growth conditions.

Uploaded by

Jobert Arcilla
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

ACTIVITY 1

The Soil Profile


I. Introduction
The soil profile is a vertical cross section of the exposing all of its horizon and representative
of the effects of the different soil forming factors on the parent material. These are indicated by the
inherent physical properties that could be observed in the profile. Texture, structure, and color
differences are considered in the identification of the different horizons
In this activity, the student will be familiarized with the procedures in soil profile description.

II. Objectives
1. To learn the characteristics and differences of major soil horizons.
2. To determine the differences between soil horizons present in SSC Castlla soils.
3. To understand the significance of the soil profile as a sampling unit

III. Materials
Soil Digging/Excavation tools, meter stick/foot rule, record notes, rubber boots, hand shovel
IV. Procedures
a. Preparation
1. The class will be divided into groups with at least five (5) members each every group should
have the materials for the activity.
2. In the absence of a dug soil profile, each group will be assigned to a pre –designate area for
digging.
3. A pit of at least 1m x 1m x2m deep will be prepared for observation with the walls carefully
scraped clean to expose the different horizons.

Note: in areas where the soil is shallow, the limiting horizon will be considered

b. Observation
1. The group should carefully examine the exposed profile to identify the following:
a. Depth of soil and limiting horizon
b. Color
c. Texture
d. Structure and consistency
2. Delineate the exposed horizons and based from your knowledge in soils science, identify the
horizons and measure the depth of each. If possible photographs of the profile should be
taken as part of the report. You may use the guide below:
a. O horizon- usually the uppermost layer in an undisturbed soil and called the organic
horizon. It consists of fresh and decaying plant residue from sources like leaves,
twigs and other organic material. It is dark because of large amounts of accumulated
humus.
b. A horizon-is mainly mineral materials and it is generally darker than the lower
horizon because of varying amounts of humified organic matter.
c. E horizon- is generally bleached or whitish. The main feature is the loss of silicate
clay, iron, aluminium, humus or combination of these, leaving a concentration of
silica sand and silt particles.
d. B horizon-known as the subsoil is generally lighter colored, denser and lower in
content of organic matter than the A horizon. It is also known as the zone of
accumulation.
e. C horizon –may consist of material with less clay than the overlaying horizons `or it
may consist of other less weathered sediments. Partially disintegrated parent
material and mineral particles are in this horizon.
f. R Horizon- the lowest horizon which is the bedrock
3. Record also any observation that may affect plant growth such as drainage condition,
flooding, stoniness, etc…
4. After observation, draw a profile and indicate the results in the presentation.
V. Results and Discussions

The Soil Profile

Name:___________________________________ Team

Group Members:

Location:__________________________________

N:________________ E:_______________

Vegetation:________________________________

Table 1. Profile Description

Horizon Depth(cm) Texture Structure Wet Color pH Roots

Other Remarks:

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Answer the following

1. Enumerate the five soil forming factors and explain their specific effects in the formation of soil
horizons.

2. Give sample notations to designate subdivisions in each horizon and describe each.
3. Describe the following:
a. Landscape

b. Polypedon

c. Pedon

d. Profile

e. Topsoil

f. Subsoil

4. Explain how soil profile interpretations will aid the observer

VI. Conclusion and Recommendations.


References:

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy