How Does Water Percolate Through Soils?

This lab provides a simple yet effective way to understand the behavior of water in soils and how it affects plant growth. The exercise involves measuring the rate of water percolation through soils of different textures, which can impact water retention and drainage. Coarse soils, for example, drain water quickly, while fine soils retain more water and may have drainage issues. By determining the percolation rate, growers can identify the soil’s water-holding capacity and manage it accordingly. Adding organic matter and humus can help improve water retention in soils with high percolation rates, while soils with low rates benefit from increased pore space to improve drainage.