Does Organic Material Affect The Absorbency Of Water In Soil?

PURPOSE

 

The purpose of this experiment was to determine how organic material affects the water absorbency of soil.
 

I became interested in this idea when I realized that lack of organic material might be drying out our soils.
 

The information gained from this experiment will aid gardeners by determining which organic material will benefit their plants the most.

HYPOTHESIS

My hypothesis was that 3/4 Peat moss would absorb the water the most.
 
I base my hypothesis on an article that Dale H. Vitt wrote, He said, " Peat Moss absorbs water through their dead cells and because Peat moss is used for transporting plants. That made me think that Peat moss would absorb water the most.
 
 

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EXPERIMENT DESIGN

 

The constants of this experiment were:

• The same size and type of pot 
• The amount of sand, 
• Amount of manure, 
• Amount of peat moss, 
• Temperature of room, 
• Amount of water, 
• The amount of time, 
• The amount of total material in each pot.
• The manipulated variable was the type of organic material and amount.
   
  The responding variable was the amount of water absorbed by the soil mixture. 
   
  
  To measure the responding variable the water drained from the soil was measured exactly 12 hours after the water was initially added. 
   MATERIALS
  
   
   

  QUANTITY	ITEM DESCRIPTION
  2000grams	Sand
  750grams	Manure
  750grams	Peat Moss
  7	Plastic pots
  7	Plastic spoons
  7	Plant saucers
  7liters	Tap water
  1	Measuring cup (capacity 1 liter)
  1	Triple balance beam scale

  PROCEDURES
  1. Gather all materials at place the pots separately on the table and place a saucer under each of the pots.
  2. Measure out 500 grams of sand and pour into a pot and label Sand.
  3. In another pot measure and place 125 grams of peat moss and 375 grams of sand into the pot and mix thoroughly. Label it 1/4 peat moss.
  4. In another pot, measure 250 grams of peat moss and 250 grams of sand and place into another the pot. Mix Thoroughly. Label it 1/2 peat moss.
  5. In another pot measure 375 grams of peat moss and 125 grams of sand and place in an empty pot. Mix thoroughly. Label it 3/4 peat moss.
  6. In another pot measure 125 grams of manure, and 375 grams sand and add to a new pot. Mix thoroughly. Label this one 1/4 manure.
  7. In another pot measure 250 grams of manure and 250 grams of sand and add to another of the empty pots. Mix thoroughly. Label this one 1/2 manure.
  8. Measure 375 grams of manure and 125 grams of sand. Mix thoroughly, then label this one manure.
  9. Place a plant saucer under each pot to catch the water.
  10. Place 1 liter of water into each pot.  Gradually mix the water in. 
  11. Wait 12 hours
  12. Measure how much water came out into the saucer then subtract this from how much      initially added
  13. Clean out all pots and start with new materials.

RESULTS

 

The original purpose of this experiment was to find out if organic material affects the absorbency of soil.
 

The results of the experiment were that in my first trial the 1/2 peat moss absorbed 760ml of water therefore absorbing the most and sand absorbed 387ml therefore absorbing the least. In trial 2, 1/2 peat moss absorbed the most again at 648ml and 1/4 manure absorbed the least at 354ml.
 

CONCLUSION

My hypothesis was that 3/4 Peat moss would absorb the water the most and therefore affecting how much was absorbed.
 

The results indicate that this hypothesis should be rejected because I thought 3/4 peat moss would absorb the most but 1/2 absorbed the most.
 

Because of the results of this experiment, I wonder how plants would grow in the different mixtures.
 

If I were to conduct this project again I think that I would have tested normal potting soil too so I would know how much the absorbency of water was needed for soil. I would also use more water applied it more slowly and repeatedly to have a larger accuracy. I would also do more trials.