A study of soil structure

Stephenson, R.E.; Marquardt, A.R.

A study of soil structure

1932

Stephenson, R.E. | Marquardt, A.R.

This study was made as a preliminary investigation to determine whether certain procedures might be of use in making studies of soil structure. The Bouyoucos method of measuring soil permeability to water seems satisfactory as a percolation method. The method is sufficiently sensitive to distinguish soil types that show marked differences in behavior in the field, and to distinguish between surface and subsoils when these are appreciably different. The method also distinguishes the effects of treatments and different rates of treatment rather consistently. The results likewise correspond with the field behavior of the soils. The plasticity indices appear to indicate significant structural differences. The more desirable soil structures are associated with a low plastic range and the refractory soils with a high plastic range. There is little or no correlation between soil structure and the amount of colloidal material. Chemical treatments may prove helpful to improve soil structure in the field, but the feasibility of such improvement can be determined only by field trial.

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