IV.

Results
Table 1. Mass of sieved soil particles with the paper container.
Soil type

Mass

Gravel

37.5g

Sand

38.1g

Silt

27.2g

Clay
TOTAL

102.8g

Gravel:
37.5g x 100 = 36.48%
102.8g
Sand:
38.1 x 100 = 37.06%
2.8g

Silt and Clay:

27.2g x 100 = 26.46%
102.8g

Soil character: LOAM

V. Discussion
Soil texture is a composition of gravel, sand, silt, and clay. These are what make the
texture and gradient of a soil. Soil texture is a factor in the soils behavior. The soil behavior
varies on the composition of the soil, which is sorted into different size particles that affects
water-holding capacity, permeability, porosity, soil workability, and the ability of plants to grow.
Each composition of the soil has a particular size. This determines its ability to withhold
water. And each of this has a specific pore size that holds the water within. The larger the
particles, the larger the pores, meaning it can hold more water than those smaller particles.
Gravels are the largest particles in a soil. These are the kinds that are usually the most
obvious parts of the soil consisting of small rocks and pebbles. It reside on the upmost surface of
the soil since it take up more space than the other particles and could not pass through them. Due
to its large mass it is not ideal for water absorption because of its surface area that make up it
structure does not have pores enough to absorb water.
Sand is composed of finely divided rocks and mineral particles. The sizes of the particles
are small that it feels grainy and does not stick to each other unless it is with the presence of
water. Its pores between particles allow water and air flow, however air and water pass through
sand quickly thus it does not retain nutrient absorption well. Due to its grainy and fluid like
movement, it not a good ground for plants.
Silt is a soil particle that is in between sand and clay. It has a doughy feel to it when wet
and has sandy grain feel when dry. It is usually found near bodies of water and can withhold a

large amount of water due to its size that is larger than clay but smaller than sand.
Silt, on the other hand, are made up of particles with diameters ranging from 0.002 mm to
0.05 mm. Erosion by glaciers are often responsible for formation of silt. Wet silt does not stick
together and cannot mold into different shapes. It has smaller particles and slower drainage than
sand, which enables it to retain more water and nutrients for plants.
Clay among other soil particles is the smallest. It can hold more water than the others
thus when wet is feels sticky and can be molded into different shapes. Although it can absorb
water enough for plants, it is not ideal for some plant because little amount of air pass through it
due to its finer particles.
In this experiment, we obtained 36.48% Gravel, 37.06% Sand, and 26.46% for silt and
clay. To determine the soil texture, each of the soil particles was sorted and its percentage was
obtained for the data to be computed, and using the Soil Texture Triangle, its texture class was
determined. According to the triangle, the soil is loam. Loam is a mixture of clay, sand and silt
and is the best soil for growing plants. It holds great amount of water and nutrients that makes it
ideal for growing plants,