1. Water Absorption Rate
at the FSPA Organic Garden
Chris Pasquale and Eric Thuli
ABSTRACT
Permeability is defined as the ability of a porous mass to allow
passage of water through the medium. Studying soil permeability means
understanding the structure of the soil and how water passes through
different layers. Determining permeability enables engineers and
agriculturists to study fluid-flow characteristics through a soil mass and
thus helps in improving the efficiency of the soil. Results help erect better
structures, construct tables, and perform agricultural activities. The fluidity
of soil depends upon various factors.
Absorption is really a factor of percolation as well as holding capacity
of different soil type’s ability to store water. Percolation tests were
conducted on soil of the FSPA garden and surrounding locations. The
specific locations were; north and south garden, alfalfa field near the
garden (alfalfa 1), alfalfa field far from garden (alfalfa 2), and the corn field.
The gardens have received organic practices for the past 6 years while the
alfalfa land has been in alfalfa for 5 years and is being transitioned to
organic. The corn field has been conventionally farmed and rotated
between soybeans, corn, and alfalfa. These observations allow us to
hypothesize that the north and south garden will yield normal rates of
water absorption, while the surrounding locations will have slower rates.
INTRODUCTION
The goal of this project was to determine the absorption rates of the
soil at the FSPA garden. The reason behind this was to analyze the change
of soil composition from previous years, determine the most suitable
zones for planting, and to decide what needed to be done to the soil for
more efficient growth. This research was done by an examination of
absorption rates of the soil, or a soil percolation test.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
The results revealed that alfalfa 1 had a surprisingly fast absorption
rate, compared to alfalfa 2 and the corn field. Results of the north and
south garden suggested that the soil had a faster than normal absorption
rate. When compared to results of previous years, almost all matched
besides alfalfa 1. Last year alfalfa 1 took over twenty four hours to
complete the swelling period, while this year it only took around 2
minutes.
The soil of the FSPA area has been maintained by conventional and
organic practices. The garden has seen organic fertilizers like compost tea,
mycorrhizae fungi, and tilling. The surrounding area is heavy clay soil that
has been brought up through conventional practices and has not seen any
tilling. No till results in little incorporation of humus in soil which is
essential for microbes and other living organisms and have a direct impact
on water percolation and holding capacity of soil. Results suggest organic
practices have had a positive effect in creating sustainable and livable land
for crops to grow. To improve absorption, the transition from conventional
to organic practices should continue.
FUNDING AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
REFERENCES
ALFALFA 1
SOUTH GARDENNORTH GARDEN
CORN FIELD
ALFALFA 2
Special thanks to Viterbo University, Sr. Lucy, and the Franciscan
Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 1985, Manual 40 - Ground
Water Management
• Soil Science Society of America (SSSA), 1975, Glossary of Soil Science
Terms
• USGS, 1998, Ground Water and Surface Water - A Single Resource, USGS
Circular 1139, Winter, T.C.,
• J.W. Harvey, O. L. Franke, and W. M. Alley
• Soil Quality Test Kit Guide (USDA)
• Used a hollow metal cylinder, water, and a timer
• The hollow metal cylinder was given a marking around the exterior at
two inches from the top (whichever side was chosen) with permanent
marker
• The hollow cylinder was put into the ground up until the marking,
exposing the two inches above ground
• The portion inside the cylinder was filled with 500mL of water in two
sets. The first 500mL was done to allow the soil to become saturated,
meaning to fill the voids between soil particles with water. The second
500mL was to cause soil swelling, the intrusion of water into individual
soil particles.
• Both times the cylinder was covered with saran wrap to
prevent evaporation
• The swelling period is when measurements were recorded and
analyzed for absorption rates
• All 24 measurements occurred in 5 separate zones with
two time trials in each zone