Soil testing is a very important procedure for agricultural and lawn-making processes. There are several different processes that can be used to test the suitability of soil for agricultural processes. Some of these methods are very comprehensive and can only be conducted in a laboratory setting. Others however, are very simple and can be conducted on-site. When in need of Soil Testing California should be visited.
More comprehensive methods of soil testing should be conducted in case one intends to use the land for large scale agricultural activities. For those who intend to use the land for small scale farming or lawn-making, simple tests should be enough. Tests are usually conducted to determine the components of the soil such as silt/clay and sand fractions. The tests are also meant to investigate mouldability.
Assessing soil properties is vital so as to determine the procedures needed to stabilize it. There are tests that are quite simple to conduct such as shine, color, appearance, smell, hand molding and thread rolling tests. Smell tests normally work by adding water to samples and if the smell emitted is musty, it means that the soil has organic matter. Presence of organic matter is normally good for agriculture, but such soils may not do well with block making.
The color appearance test is equally important. A sample containing dark like matter is an indication of the presence of organic matter. When the sample has light brown to black hue, it implies that even though it has some organic matter, it can be stabilized. Soils that contain iron oxide are normally reddish or dark brown in color. Yellow color in a sample is an indication of lime-based elements. However, the color appearance test does not always work in all cases.
In shine test, a small amount of the soils is rubbed with the back of finger nail to identify the most common components. The existence of sand and silt in huge amounts makes the sample to be abrasive to the touch. On the other hand, the presence of clay in huge quantities will make the sample smooth to the touch.
Thread rolling test involves adding enough amount of water to a sample so that it can be moulded by hand easily. The sample is then rolled out with the palm of the hand on a flat clean surface. If the sample can be reduced to a diameter of 3 mm, then it means that it has a high composition of clay.
On the contrary, if the sample breaks before reaching 3 mm in diameter, then it means that it has some amount of sand. The plastic limit of the sample can also be determined using this method. Hand moulding test is done to determine the mouldability and adhesion of the sample in question.
The tests named above are all preliminary and can be conducted on-site. However, in case more comprehensive testing is required, then the sample has to be taken to a laboratory for more tests to be carried out. There are different tests that are meant to test different components and properties.
More comprehensive methods of soil testing should be conducted in case one intends to use the land for large scale agricultural activities. For those who intend to use the land for small scale farming or lawn-making, simple tests should be enough. Tests are usually conducted to determine the components of the soil such as silt/clay and sand fractions. The tests are also meant to investigate mouldability.
Assessing soil properties is vital so as to determine the procedures needed to stabilize it. There are tests that are quite simple to conduct such as shine, color, appearance, smell, hand molding and thread rolling tests. Smell tests normally work by adding water to samples and if the smell emitted is musty, it means that the soil has organic matter. Presence of organic matter is normally good for agriculture, but such soils may not do well with block making.
The color appearance test is equally important. A sample containing dark like matter is an indication of the presence of organic matter. When the sample has light brown to black hue, it implies that even though it has some organic matter, it can be stabilized. Soils that contain iron oxide are normally reddish or dark brown in color. Yellow color in a sample is an indication of lime-based elements. However, the color appearance test does not always work in all cases.
In shine test, a small amount of the soils is rubbed with the back of finger nail to identify the most common components. The existence of sand and silt in huge amounts makes the sample to be abrasive to the touch. On the other hand, the presence of clay in huge quantities will make the sample smooth to the touch.
Thread rolling test involves adding enough amount of water to a sample so that it can be moulded by hand easily. The sample is then rolled out with the palm of the hand on a flat clean surface. If the sample can be reduced to a diameter of 3 mm, then it means that it has a high composition of clay.
On the contrary, if the sample breaks before reaching 3 mm in diameter, then it means that it has some amount of sand. The plastic limit of the sample can also be determined using this method. Hand moulding test is done to determine the mouldability and adhesion of the sample in question.
The tests named above are all preliminary and can be conducted on-site. However, in case more comprehensive testing is required, then the sample has to be taken to a laboratory for more tests to be carried out. There are different tests that are meant to test different components and properties.
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