Soil sampling in the Field

Soils will be sampled by auguring method in a transect made within the farms. Auguring will be
carried out in both agriculture and natural vegetation land to stablish sound comparison between
the two. Comparison will help the team understand and rate level of agriculture land degradation
and possible inform us on the possible solution to be devised. For every soil auguring,
determination of the top soil pH as well as the colors and texture will be done at different
horizon. To further our understanding of soil in the region we’ll use soil profiles.

Soil profile preparation.

Soil profile refers to vertical arrangement of soil horizons which results from pedogenic
processes. In the field a point within the set transect will be located for profiling. A pit
measuring 1 ×1m surface dimensions and 1.5m deep will be dug. Digging will be done using
hoes and shovels. From the pit the following soil aspects will be studied at every horizon; the
color, the texture, the rock fragments, the mottling, the consistence, the structure, the coatings,
the mineral concentrations, roots distribution and most important classification of the soil type.
To wind up on soil assessment, soil infiltration will also be determined.

Soil infiltration determination

Water infiltration is a soil property that is of importance for the crops grown on the field. The
degree of infiltration can be measured with an infiltrometer. The infiltrometer is a steel ring that
is hammered one-centimeter-deep into the soil. Then, a decided amount of water is poured into
the ring. The water is poured on a leave in the ring in order not to damage the soil structure. A
timer is started simultaneously with the pouring of water. When the water is fully infiltrated into
the soil, a lap time is taken on the timer and a new portion of water is poured into the soil. This
procedure is repeated ten times successively. When ten data points are collected, the infiltration
rate is plotted over time. Infiltration rate is defined as the height of water per unit of time. The
water height can be calculated by dividing the volume of water in the ring by the surface area
within the infiltrometer.