Lab 2

Title: Assessment of water content and soil drainage of soil in four (4) site locations in Tobago.
Aim: To assess the water content and soil drainage of soil in four (4) in Tobago.
Apparatus/Material:
 Bunsen Burner
 Petri Dish
 Scale
 Test Tube holders
 Test Tubes
 Filter Paper
 Filter Funnel
 Soil Sample from four site locations (Speyside, Roxborough, Parlutuvier & Crown Point)
 Measuring Cylinder

Method:
Part 1: Assessment of water content from soil.
1. 20 grams of soil for both sample 1 and 2 were weighed out.
2. Each sample was heated for five minutes respectively and weighed and recorded.
3. The samples were heated until there was a constant weight.
4. Results were recorded.
Part 2: Soil drainage.
1. Two 25 grams soil samples were placed in a filter funnel.
2. 100 ml of water was poured into the water.
3. The water was left to drain for 5-10 minutes,
4. After the time, the filter funnel was removed and the volume water that drained out was
measured.
5. Results were recorded.
PART 1: Assessment of water content from soil.
Data/Collection of Results
Table 1: Showing the results of the two soil samples at site visit #1- Roxborough
Sample Initial Weight Final Weight Water Content Percentage
1 20 g 14.8 g 5.2 ml 26%
2 20 g 15 g 5 ml 25%

Table 2: Showing the results of the two soil samples at site visit #2- Speyside
Sample Initial Weight Final Weight Water Content Percentage of
stored water.
1 20 g 15.9 g 4.1 ml 20.5%
2 20 g 13.8 g 6.2 ml 31%

Table 3: Showing the results of the two soil samples at site visit #3- Parlatuvier
Sample Initial Weight Final Weight Water Content Percentage of
stored water
1 20 g 13.4 g 6.6 ml 33%
2 20 g 13.5 g 6.5 ml 32.5%

Table 4: Showing the results of the two soil samples at site visit #4- Crown Point
Sample Initial Weight Final Weight Water Content Percentage of
stored water
1 20 g 14.9 g 5.1 ml 25.5%
2 20 g 15.4 g 4.6 ml 23%
 GRAPH SHOWING THE AVERAGE OF
PERCENTAGE OF WATER STORED FOR
EACH SITE VISITED
35.00%

30.00%

25.00%

20.00%

15.00%

10.00%

5.00%

0.00%

Roxborough Speyside Parlatuvier Crown Point

Site Area Average Percentage of Water Stored for Each

Speyside 25.75%

Parlatuvier 32.75%

Crown Point 24.25%

Table 5: Showing the average percentage of water stored for each site visited.
PART 2: Soil Drainage
Data/Collection of Results

Table 1: Showing the results of the two soil samples at site visit #1- Roxborough
Sample Initial Amount Water left after Water Retained Percentage of
Poured drainage water retained
1 100 ml 92 ml 8 ml 8%
2 100 ml 90 ml 10 ml 10%

Table 2: Showing the results of the two soil samples at site visit #2- Speyside
Sample Initial Amount Water left after Water Retained Percentage of
Poured drainage water retained
1 100 ml 87 ml 13 ml 13%
2 100 ml 86 ml 14 ml 14%

Table 3: Showing the results of the two soil samples at site visit #3- Parlatuvier
Sample Initial Amount Water left after Water Retained Percentage of
Poured drainage water retained
1 100 ml 93 ml 7 ml 7%
2 100 ml 87 ml 13 ml 13%

Table 4: Showing the results of the two soil samples at site visit #4- Crown Point’
Sample Initial Amount Water left after Water Retained Percentage of
Poured drainage water retained
1 100 ml 91 ml 9 ml 9%
2 100 ml 92 ml 8 ml 8%
 GRAPH SHOWING THE AVERAGE
PERCENTAGE OF WATER RETAINED-
FOR EACH SITE VISITED
16%
14%
12%
10%
8%
6%
4%
2%
0%

Roxborough Speyside Parlatuvier Crown Point

Site Visited Average Percentage of Water Retained for each

Discussion:
Soil is the loose surface material that covers most land. It consists of inorganic particles and
organic matter. Soil provides the structural support to plants used in agriculture and is also their
source of water and nutrients.
Soil-water content is a measure of the amount of water (volume or mass) contained in a unit
volume or mass of soil. If the measure is the volume of water per unit volume of soil, the water
content is called the 'volume wetness.'
The drainage of a soil is an important characteristic to assess, as many plants prefer well-drained
soils. If a soil is poorly drained, sufficient oxygen cannot get to the plant roots which can stunt or
kill the plant. Soils that are very well drained can limit plant capture of water in drier
environments or in dry years due to insufficient water holding capacity.

The percentage of water was taken to determine how well the soil retained water as well as how
good the drainage of the soil is. The reason why the percentage was determined is one of two
reasons. Reason 1- if the soil cannot drain well, this can lead to root rot and other problems, also
causing problems to both the crop and the farmer. Reason 2- if the soil cannot retain enough
water for the plant to get the required nutrients and minerals, this can lead to the crop dying and
the farmer can suffer loss.
The soil was measured to determine how was water was in the soil. The soil was heated to see
how much water the soil retained.
The water content of the soil was determined by weighing out 20 grams of soil, which was
heated and until an exact constant weight was seen/weighed to determine the amount of water
was evaporated.
In Roxborough, samples 1 and 2 their percentage of water differed by 1% which meant that the
soil in that area has around the same percentage of water retain ability.
In Speyside, samples 1 and 2 their percentage of water differed by 10.5% which meant that the
soil in that area has different ranges of percentage of water retain ability.
In Parlatuvier, samples 1 and 2 their percentage of water differed by 0.5% which meant the soil
in that area has around the same percentage of water retain ability.
In Crown Point, samples 1 and 2 their percentage of water differed by 0.5% which meant the soil
in that area has around the same percentage of water retain ability.
By determining the water content of the soil is important. This is so because a farmer must be
able to place his crops in soil which is able to nourish his plants well. If a farmer is unknown
about the characteristics of the soil which he/she places their crops in they may be confused
about why there plants are not growing or undeveloped. As opposed to if a farmers know about
the characteristics of his/her soil, they can rest easy knowing their crops can prosper with the
correct care.
Soil drainage refers to the soil's natural ability to allow water to pass through it. Dense soil will
hold water, while loose soil will allow water to pass through quickly. Soil drainage may
determine which types of plants grow well in it.
Conclusion:
References:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/soil-water-content
https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/soil/what-is-soil
https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/soil/what-is-soil#h2-3
https://www.homequestionsanswered.com/what-is-soil-drainage.htm#:~:text=Soil%20drainage
%20refers%20to%20the,plants%20grow%20well%20in%20it.&text=This%20type%20of
%20soil%20slowly,to%20seep%20down%20into%20it.