Experiment No.

IX

Positive Phototaxis in Moths

Observations:

S
No

Item

Readings

1st
Reading

Weight of Petri Plate (W1) in Grams

Weight of Petri Plate + Moist Soil (W2) in Grams

Weight of Petri Plate + Dry Soil (W3) in Grams

Calculations:
Following Formula:

MC =

W 1 W 3
W 3W 1

X 100 %

Result:
MC % =

______________ %

2nd
Reading

3rd
Reading

Experiment No. IX
Aim:

Date:____________

To determine the moisture content of soil

Requireme Soil Sample, Polythene Bag, Shovel, Petri Plates (2), Hot Air Oven (100 0
nts:
1100C ), Weighing Balance, Tong, etc.
Theory:
The Soil Moisture Content (MC) is the ratio of the weight of water to the
weight of the solids in a given mass of soil. This ratio is expressed as
percentage (MC %).

The Soil moisture contents are required to be known for:

It serves as a solvent and carrier of food nutrients for plant growth.

It determines yield of the crop.

It acts as a nutrient itself.

Soil water regulates soil temperature.

It determines soil formation and weathering.

It determines Soil Microorganisms.

Soil water helps in chemical and biological activities of soil.

Water is essential for photosynthesis

MC % is determined by Gravimetric - Oven Dry Method. The soil sample

is collected and weighed before and after drying in oven. The MC % is
calculated by formula:

MC =

W 1 W 3
W 3W 1

X 100 %

Where:
W1 = Weight of Petri Plate in Grams
W2 = Weight of moist soil + Petri Plate in Grams
W3 = Weight of dry soil + Petri Plate in Grams
The soil sample should be homogeneous, just moist enough to permit
easy cutting by the sampling equipment, and free from roots, organic
matter, and stones. No two samples will provide same reading. The
sample should be collected in a polythene bag and weighing should be

done immediately.

Procedure:
1. Collect Homogenous moist soil sample from the field with the help of
shovel in Polythene Bag
2. Weigh the clean & dried Petri Plate on Electrical Weighing Balance and note
down as W1
3.

Weigh 10 Grams of soil along with Petri Plate and note down as W2

4. Transfer the Petri Plate in to oven at 1050 - 1100 C for 24 Hours.

5. Take out Petri Plate with the help of tong and let it cool and dry up
6. Weigh the dried sample along with Petri Plate and note down as W3
7. Repeat thrice
8. Calculate the Moisture Content Percent by following the formula.

Precaution
s:

1. Weighing should be done carefully

2. Temperature of the oven should be kept constant
3. Soil Sample should be collected when required
4. Soil sample should be free of stones, roots etc.
5. Particle size of soil should be between 2 mm to 10 mm