Shivam is measuring percolation rate of water through three different soils. He cuts off the top and bottom of a mineral water bottle to get a hollow plastic pipe and places the pipe in each soil sample so that it is 2-3 cm deep in the soil. He then pours 250 mL of water into the pipe and measures the time taken for the water to percolate completely into the soil. He calculated the percolation rates of soil samples as given below:
Soil samples Percolation rate
S1 15.5 mL /min
S2 7.3 mL/ min
S3 1.4 mL/min
Which among the following soil samples is most suitable for growing paddy crop and lentils, respectively?
Shivam is measuring percolation rate of water through three different soils. He cuts off the top and bottom of a mineral water bottle to get a hollow plastic pipe and places the pipe in each soil sample so that it is 2-3 cm deep in the soil. He then pours 250 mL of water into the pipe and measures the time taken for the water to percolate completely into the soil. He calculated the percolation rates of soil samples as given below:
Soil samples Percolation rate
S1 15.5 mL /min
S2 7.3 mL/ min
S3 1.4 mL/min
Which among the following soil samples is most suitable for growing paddy crop and lentils, respectively?
The correct option is D S3 and S2
- Percolation rate is the speed at which water flows through the soil. Higher the percolation lower is the water absorption capacity of the soil. Therefore, soil with high water absorption capacity or soil having a low percolation rate is most suitable for growing crops that require a large amount of water. Whereas soil with moderate water absorption capacity or soil having moderate percolation rate is suitable for growing crops that require a moderate amount of water.
- The decreasing order in percolation rate of different soil is Sand> Loam> Clay.
- Soil sample, S1 with the highest percolation of 15.5 mL /min is sandy soil.
- Soil sample, S2 with the second highest percolation rate of 7.3 mL/ min is loamy soil.
- Soil sample S3 with the lowest percolation rate of 1.4 mL/min is clayey soil.
- Crops such as paddy require a large amount of water to grow. Clayey soil has the highest water absorption capacity or lowest percolation rate. Therefore, soil sample S1 is suitable to grow paddy.
- Crops such as lentils require a moderate amount of water to grow. Loamy soil has moderate water absorption capacity or moderate percolation rate. Therefore, soil sample S2 is suitable to grow lentils.
- On comparing the options, the correct answer is option B.
- Percolation rate is the speed at which water flows through the soil. Higher the percolation lower is the water absorption capacity of the soil. Therefore, soil with high water absorption capacity or soil having a low percolation rate is most suitable for growing crops that require a large amount of water. Whereas soil with moderate water absorption capacity or soil having moderate percolation rate is suitable for growing crops that require a moderate amount of water.
- The decreasing order in percolation rate of different soil is Sand> Loam> Clay.
- Soil sample, S1 with the highest percolation of 15.5 mL /min is sandy soil.
- Soil sample, S2 with the second highest percolation rate of 7.3 mL/ min is loamy soil.
- Soil sample S3 with the lowest percolation rate of 1.4 mL/min is clayey soil.
- Crops such as paddy require a large amount of water to grow. Clayey soil has the highest water absorption capacity or lowest percolation rate. Therefore, soil sample S1 is suitable to grow paddy.
- Crops such as lentils require a moderate amount of water to grow. Loamy soil has moderate water absorption capacity or moderate percolation rate. Therefore, soil sample S2 is suitable to grow lentils.
- On comparing the options, the correct answer is option B.
