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We are heartily thankful and grateful to our teacher, Mr Mohamad Rashidi Bin
Anang who gave us encouragement, guidance and support from the initial to the final
steps of the research and had successfully enabled us to develop an understanding of
the research. Special thanks to our group members for their dedication and hard work
towards this research.
Lastly, we offer our regards and blessings to all of those who supported us in
any respect during the completion of the project.
ABSTRACT
Soil is the mixture of minerals, organic matter, gases, liquids, and the
countless organisms that together support life on earth. The acidity or alkalinity of soil
is important for plant growth and is expressed on a pH scale, based on the total
hydrogen ion concentration in the soil water solution. In order to test the soil pH, we
use pH meter to determine as it is the most accurate method. A pH Meter is an
electronic device used for measuring the pH which is either the concentration of
Hydrogen ions in an aqueous solution or the activity of the hydrogen ions in an
aqueous solution. As the function of pH meter is needed in aqueous, the soil sample
need to be in the aqueous or solution form. The pH will indicate if the solution is
acidic or basic. On this scale, neutral condition is represented by a pH of 7, values 7 to
0 are increasingly acidic and 7 to 14 are increasingly alkaline. For very precise work
the pH meter should be calibrated before each measurement. Calibration should be
performed with at least two standard buffer solutions that span the range of pH values
to be measured. For general purposes buffers at pH 4.01 and pH 10.00 are acceptable.
INTRODUCTION
1.2
LITERATURE REVIEW
A report (Alley & Zelazny, 1987) from the USA stated that lime recommendations
by soil testing laboratories are inaccurate, also resulting in lime application where
none is needed. Such recommendations, often based on a critical pH concept
regarding yields can result in lost farm income, increased input costs and loss of
credibility by soil test laboratories.
1.3
PROBLEM STATEMENT
In order to study the pH of soil solution in water and KCl, various types of soils
such as swamp soil, river bank soil and farm soil were used and measured by pH
meter which is an electronic device used for measuring the pH which is either the
concentration of Hydrogen ions in an aqueous solution or the activity of the Hydrogen
ions in an aqueous solution. The pH will indicate if the solution is acidic or basic.
1.4
OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
1.5
SCOPE OF RESEARCH
We will collect the swamp soil, river bank soil and farm soil from Taman
Tampoi Utama, Taman Pulai Perdana and Taman Tampoi Indah
respectively and determine their pH by using pH meter.
CHAPTER 2: METHODOLOGY
2.1
and materials are used. Apparatus and materials used are as follow: pH meter,
standard flasks, magnetic stirrer, filter funnel, beaker, wash bottle, tissue paper,
forceps, potassium chloride and distilled water.
2.2
PROCEDURE
well.
o Now place the electrode in the beaker containing the stirred
buffer and check for the reading in the pH meter.
o If the instrument is not showing pH value of 10.0, using the
calibration knob adjust the reading to 10.0.
o Take the electrode from the buffer, wash it with distilled water
and then wipe gently with soft tissue.
Step 2
o In a 100 mL beaker take pH 7.0 buffer solution and place it
in a magnetic stirrer, insert the teflon coated stirring bar and stir
well.
o Now place the electrode in the beaker containing the stirred
buffer and check for the reading in the pH meter.
o If the instrument is not showing pH value of 7.0, using the
calibration knob adjust the reading to 7.0.
o Take the electrode from the buffer, wash it with distilled water
and then wipe gently with soft tissue.
Step 3
o In a 100 ml beaker take pH 4.0 buffer solution and place it in
a magnetic stirrer, insert the teflon coated stirring bar and stir
well.
o Now place the electrode in the beaker containing the stirred
buffer and check for the reading in the pH meter.
o If the instrument is not showing pH value of 4.0, using the
calibration knob adjust the reading to 4.0.
o Take the electrode from the buffer, wash it with distilled water
and then wipe gently with soft tissue.
o Now the instrument is calibrated.
2.3
DATA COLLECTION
Soil Sample
pH in
pH in
water
KCl
pH in
pH in
water
KCl
7.0
7.2
7.7
7.9
6.7
6.6
Place
Swamp Soil
River Bank Soil
Farm Soil
Soil Sample
Place
Taman Tampoi
Swamp Soil
Utama
Taman Pulai
River Bank Soil
Perdana
Taman Tampoi
Farm Soil
Indah
<5.0
5.5
6.0
Strongly
Moderately
Slightly
acid
acid
acid
6.5-7.5
7.5-8.5
>8.5
Moderately
Strongly
alkaline
alkaline
Neutral
Soil pH affects nutrient availability by changing the form of the nutrient in the
soil. If the pH of a solution is not within the correct range the plant will not have the
ability to absorb some of the essential elements required for proper plant growth. All
plants have a particular pH range, which will produce healthy growth, and this level
will vary from plant to plant, but most plants prefer a slightly acidic growing
environment (5.8 to 6.2), although most plants can survive in an environment with pH
values between 5.0 and 7.0.
Plants grown in acidic environments can experience a variety of symptoms,
including aluminium (Al), hydrogen (H), and/or manganese (Mn) toxicity, as well as
nutrient deficiencies of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg).
Conversely, in alkaline environments molybdenum (Mo) and macronutrients
(except for phosphorus) availability increases, but phosphorus (P), iron (Fe),
manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co) levels are reduced, and may
adversely affect plant growth.
From the chart we found that that each element can become more and less
available to the plants as pH changes. If the pH of your solution is out of the desired
range, one or more of the essential elements will become unavailable to the plant,
causing nutrient deficiencies, which will result in slow growth rates, and poor yields.
Based on the results obtained, swamp soil shows the pH of 7.0 and 7.2 in water
and KCl solution respectively. The neutral pH of swamp soil indicates that most of the
macronutrients will be available in swamp soil which is very suitable for swamp
milkweeds and cattails to grow. River bank soil shows the pH of 7.7 and 7.9 which is
moderately alkaline in water and KCl solution. In other words, due to the alkaline pH,
molybdenum (Mo) and macronutrients (except for phosphorus) availability increases,
but phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and cobalt
(Co) levels are reduced. River bank soil is suitable for the growth of duckweed, water
lily and etc. For farm soil, farm soil shows the pH of 6.7 and 6.6 in water and KCl
respectively which fall in the range of neutral which are the most suitable for plant
growth due to the higher availability of nutrients. Farm soil is suitable to grow beans,
avocado and more.
Throughout the experiment, there is some precaution steps needed to be done to
ensure that the results obtained are more accurate. pH measurements can be made to
the nearest 0.1 or 0.01 pH unit. There is no need to measure pH with more than 2
decimal places since this level of accuracy is not achievable or required.
Besides, differences in pH will occur with electrode placed in a soil-slurry or in
the supernatant after the soil has settled. The differences are more pronounced with
CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSION
Throughout the experiment, we found that the more neutral the pH, the higher the
availability of nutrients. The availability of nutrients is greatly influenced by the pH. So, it is
important for us to analyse the pH before planting so that the plants grow within the correct
range of pH to enhance the absorption of essential nutrients for their growth.
REFERENCE
1. http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/lab/equipment/phmeter/use.html;
research on calibration of pH meter; accessed on 25 June 2015.
2. http://www.novedu.ru/anotes/refer/buffers.htm ; preparation of buffer solution;
accessed on 26 June 2015.
3. http://vlab.amrita.edu/?sub=2&brch=193&sim=1549&cnt=1;
soil
analysis;