Source: NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIV submitted to
SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES LAB
Sponsoring Institution
State Agricultural Experiment Station
Project Status
REVISED
Funding Source
STATE
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0092762
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
NC05566
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Apr 1, 1984
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2020
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Vepraskas, MI.
Recipient Organization
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIV
(N/A)
RALEIGH,NC 27695
Performing Department
Soil Science
Non Technical Summary
The Soil Physical Properties Laboratory measures several properties on soil samples submitted to it, and these include: 1) amounts of sand, silt and clay, 2) how much water the soil holds, and 3) how fast water moves through soil. The results are used by researchers, students, teachers, and companies in their work to understand how best to manage soils for agricultural or other uses.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
5%
Applied
95%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
10101102061100%
Knowledge Area
101 - Appraisal of Soil Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0110 - Soil;

Field Of Science
2061 - Pedology;
Goals / Objectives
The Soil Physical Properties Laboratory was established to provide analytical support for the research faculty, staff, and graduate students at NC State University. Measurements made by the laboratory include soil particle size distribution, soil water retention, and saturated hydraulic conductivity. The laboratory also serves as a training center for graduate students to learn the proper techniques for particle size analysis and water-retention characteristics of soils. Besides the immediate university community, the Soil Physical Properties Laboratory also provides analytical support for various outside public agencies and private companies.
Project Methods
Methods employed for particle size analysis, soil water retention, and saturated hydraulic conductivity follow recommendations in the latest edition of "Methods of Soil Analysis" published by the Soil Science Society of America.

Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Graduate students can analyze their own samples and learn how to determine particle size distribution and pore size distribuition in soils. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results are returned to the students, faculty, and outside consultants who have submitted samples. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The lab will remain open for receiving and analyzing samples.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In the calendar year 2017, approximately 4500 soil samples have been analyzed for particle size distribution and/or water retention. Fees received for these services have totaled: $11,000.

Publications


    Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15

    Outputs
    Target Audience:Faculty, staff, students at NC State University along with private consultants. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Approximately three gradutate students were trained to do the analyses. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Data generated are given to those who supplied the samples. Results are used bygraduate students for research projects or by consultants for private projects. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The lab will continue analyzing samples supplied to it.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? Analyzed approximately 325 samples for soil texture, water retention, and saturated hydraulic conductivity.

    Publications


      Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

      Outputs
      Target Audience:Faculty, staff, students at NC State University, along with private consultants. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Approximately 5 graduate students were trained to do the analyses. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Data generated given to those who supplied samples. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

      Impacts
      What was accomplished under these goals? Analyzed approximately 500 samples for soil texture, water retention, and saturated hydraulic conductivity.

      Publications


        Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13

        Outputs
        Target Audience:This laboratory performs analysis of soil texture and hydraulic conductivity for faculty, students, and outside consultants. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Graduate students have been trained to run their own samples. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results are given to the researchers or consultants who supplied samples and paid for analyses. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The lab will remain in operation.

        Impacts
        What was accomplished under these goals? Approximately 200 samples were analyzed for soil texture, 50 for water retention characteristic, and 20 for saturated hydraulic conductivity.

        Publications


          Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12

          Outputs
          OUTPUTS: In the calendar year 2012, approximately 500 soil samples have been analyzed for particle size distribution and/or water retention. Fees received for these services have totaled: $13,000. PARTICIPANTS: Participants: M.J. Vepraskas, PD; C. P. Niewoehner, laboratory manager. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

          Impacts
          The Soil Physical Properties Laboratory was established to provide analytical support for the research faculty, staff, and graduate students at NC State University. The laboratory also serves as a training center for graduate students to learn the proper techniques for particle size analysis and water-retention characteristics of soils. Besides the immediate university community, the Soil Physical Properties Laboratory also provides analytical support for various outside public agencies and private companies.

          Publications

          • No publications reported this period


          Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11

          Outputs
          OUTPUTS: In the calendar year 2011, approximately 500 soil samples have been analyzed for particle size distribution and/or water retention. Fees received for these services have totaled: $13,000. PARTICIPANTS: M.J. Vepraskas, PD; C. P. Niewoehner, laboratory manager TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

          Impacts
          The Soil Physical Properties Laboratory was established to provide analytical support for the research faculty, staff, and graduate students at NC State University. The laboratory also serves as a training center for graduate students to learn the proper techniques for particle size analysis and water-retention characteristics of soils. Besides the immediate university community, the Soil Physical Properties Laboratory also provides analytical support for various outside public agencies and private companies.

          Publications

          • No publications reported this period


          Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10

          Outputs
          OUTPUTS: In the calendar year 2010, approximately 400 soil samples have been analyzed for particle size distribution and/or water retention. Fees received for these services have totaled: $11,912. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

          Impacts
          The Soil Physical Properties Laboratory was established to provide analytical support for the research faculty, staff, and graduate students at NC State University. The laboratory also serves as a training center for graduate students to learn the proper techniques for particle size analysis and water-retention characteristics of soils. Besides the immediate university community, the Soil Physical Properties Laboratory also provides analytical support for various outside public agencies and private companies.

          Publications

          • No publications reported this period


          Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09

          Outputs
          OUTPUTS: The laboratory has completed its first full year of operation. At this time, 108soil samples have been analyzed for particle size distribution and water retention. Fees received for these services have totaled: $4,070. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

          Impacts
          The Soil Physical Properties Laboratory was established to provide analytical support for the research faculty, staff, and graduate students at NC State University. The laboratory also serves as a training center for graduate students to learn the proper techniques for particle size analysis and water-retention characteristics of soils. Besides the immediate university community, the Soil Physical Properties Laboratory also provides analytical support for various outside public agencies and private companies.

          Publications

          • No publications reported this period


          Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08

          Outputs
          OUTPUTS: The laboratory has completed its first full year of operation. At this time, 321soil samples have been analyzed for particle size distribution and water retention. Fees received for these services have totaled: $12,158. PARTICIPANTS: Participants: M.J. Vepraskas, PD; C. P. Niewoehner, laboratory manager. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

          Impacts
          The Soil Physical Properties Laboratory was established to provide analytical support for the research faculty, staff, and graduate students at NC State University. The laboratory also serves as a training center for graduate students to learn the proper techniques for particle size analysis and water-retention characteristics of soils. Besides the immediate university community, the Soil Physical Properties Laboratory also provides analytical support for various outside public agencies and private companies.

          Publications

          • No publications reported this period


          Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

          Outputs
          The laboratory was re-started on 31 October 2007 and there is little to report. At this time 88 samples are being processed. Analysis of particle size distribution and water retention will be completed by 31 December 2007.

          Impacts
          The Soil Physical Properties Laboratory provides analytical support for the research faculty, staff and graduate students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and for the university at large. The laboratory also serves as a training center for graduate students to learn the proper techniques fro particle size analysis of soils and subsoils. Besides the immediate university community, the Soil Physical Properties Laboratory also provides analytical support for various outside public and private agencies.

          Publications

          • No publications reported this period


          Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06

          Outputs
          Three graduate students were trained in proper techniques for soil particle size analysis. They analyzed 128 samples and the laboratory technician analyzed an additional 213 samples. In addition, five samples were analyzed for soil water retention by the laboratory technician.

          Impacts
          The Soil Physical Properties Laboratory provides analytical support for faculty, staff and graduate students at North Carolina State University as well as various outside public and private agencies. The laboratory also trains a number of graduate students for proper analysis of soil particle size distribution.

          Publications

          • No publications reported this period


          Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05

          Outputs
          The Soil Physical Properties Laboratory provided particle size analyses for 500 samples submitted from Soil Science, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, and Horticulture Departments at NCSU; North Carolina State Division of water Quality; and private industry. Five graduate students were also trained in proper techniques for particle size analyses of soil.

          Impacts
          The Soil Physical Properties Laboratory provides analytical support for the research faculty, staff and graduate students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and for the university at large. The laboratory also serves as a training center for graduate students to learn the proper techniques for particle size analysis of soils and subsoils. Besides the immediate university community, the Soil Physical Properties Laboratory also provides analytical support for various outside public and private agencies.

          Publications

          • No publications reported this period


          Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04

          Outputs
          The Soil Physical Properties Laboratory provided particle size analyses for 1800 samples submitted from 4 departments (Crop Science, Soil Science, Horticulture, Plant Pathology) at the university, and 4 outside agencies (NC Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, NC 4-H, private consulting companies). Three graduate students were trained in proper techniques for particle size analyses of soil. The laboratory added a new sand-size sieving protocol to address the percentage shell content of beach sands.

          Impacts
          The Soil Physical Properties Laboratory provides analytical support for the research faculty, staff and graduate students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and for the university at large. The laboratory also serves as a training center for graduate students to learn the proper techniques for particle size analysis of soils and subsoils. Besides the immediate university community, the Soil Physical Properties Laboratory also provides analytical support for various outside public and private agencies.

          Publications

          • No publications reported this period


          Progress 10/01/00 to 09/30/01

          Outputs
          na

          Impacts
          (N/A)

          Publications

          • No publications reported this period


          Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98

          Outputs
          This laboratory supplies limited support services to individuals in research, extension, and teaching programs at NCSU and in the University of North Carolina system and to private citizens and organizations. A nominal fee is charged on a per measurement basis. No budgeted personnel are devoted to the running the laboratory; consequently Ellis Edwards oversees all work in the lab, either running the analyses himself or training and supervising other individuals to run the analyses. The numbers of analyses run during 1998 are: 196 soil texture, 1 0.1-bar water content, 90 0.3-bar water content, 123 1-bar water content, 89 5-bar water content, 1 10-bar water content, and 152 15-bar water content. In addition, moisture release curves for 334 undisturbed soil cores were analyzed using the Buchner funnel method. Samples were analyzed for Soil Science, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Forestry, Soil Science, Crop Science, Woods Hole Institute in Massachusetts, and the NCSU teaching program.

          Impacts
          (N/A)

          Publications

          • No publications reported this period


          Progress 01/01/95 to 12/30/95

          Outputs
          This laboratory still manages to provide a limited amount of critical data to researchers on campus even though the Laboratory Manager position has been eliminated. This situation increases the cost per analysis but the cost is much less than charged by commercial laboratories. The present arrangement is demanding of Ellis Edward's time. Ellis does much of the work and also trains qualified students. Timeliness of completing the analyses is often a problem because of the limited number of students who can be trained to perform the analyses. The numbers of soil samples analyzed for the 12 month period ending September 30, 1995 follow: bulk density, 43; particle density, 10; soil texture, 87; water content at 10 kPa, 7; at 33 kPa, 50; at 50 kPa, 7; at 100 kPa, 17; at 500 kPa, 17; and at 1.5 MPa, 60. Water retention for 50 undisturbed soil cores at 15 soil water pressure values were measured under contract for the NC Department of Environmental Management.

          Impacts
          (N/A)

          Publications


            Progress 01/01/94 to 12/30/94

            Outputs
            This laboratory still provides critical data to researchers on campus but the cost per analysis has increased because the Laboratory Manager position has been eliminated. This situation causes a delay in the analysis of most samples. Ellis Edwards trained two individuals to run particle size analyses and use the soil water extraction apparatus. The numbers of soil samples analyzed for the 12-month period ending September 30, 1994 are as follows: soil texture, 624; water content at 100 kPa, 114; at 200 kPa, 8; at 500 kPa, 132; and 1.5 MPa, 171. A contract to analyze undisturbed soil cores was obtained from the NC Department of Environmental Management.

            Impacts
            (N/A)

            Publications


              Progress 01/01/93 to 12/30/93

              Outputs
              The number of soil samples analyzed for the 12-month period ending September 30,1993 is as follows: soil texture, 743; water content at 10 kPa, 4; at 33 kPa, 64; at 100 kPa, 64; at 500 kPa, 4; and at 1.5 MPa, 70. The percentage of soil analyses for each client is as follows: Department of Soil Science, 24 %; Department of Plant Pathology, 41 %; Department of Crop Science, 26 %; and other, 9%. The number of analyses is less than last year because Tim Shackleford, the Laboratory Manager, resigned in early spring, and the position has not been filled. The cost per analysis was increased in order to hire hourly labor to perform the analyses. Accordingly the demand for the service decreased as the price increased.

              Impacts
              (N/A)

              Publications


                Progress 01/01/92 to 12/30/92

                Outputs
                The number of soil samples analyzed for the 12-month period ending September 30,1992 is as follows: soil texture, 1635; water content at 10 kPa, 2; at 33 kPa, 135, at 50 kPa, 18; at 100 kPa, 262; at 500 kPa, 156; at 1 MPa, 16; and at 1.5 MPa, 320. The percentage of soil analyses for each client is as follows: Department of Soil Science, 74.2%; Department of Plant Pathology, 20.1%; Department of Crop Science, 5.1%; Department of Entomology, 0.4%; Department of Horticulture, 0.1%; and consultants, 0.1%.

                Impacts
                (N/A)

                Publications


                  Progress 01/01/91 to 12/30/91

                  Outputs
                  The number of soil samples analyzed for the 12-month period ending September 30,1991, is as follows: soil texture, 996; water content at 10 kPa, 62; at 33 kPa, 387; 50 kPa, 11; 100 kPa, 522; 500 kPa, 122; 1 MPa, 16; 1.5 MPa, 890; and miscellaneous pressures, 13. Additional samples of soil were adjusted to specific soil water pressures to assist researchers in the Crop Science and Soil Science Departments. The percentage of the total soil analyses for each client is as follows: Soil Science, 83.4%; Plant Pathology, 8.8%; Crop Science, 6.7%; Forestry, 0.4%; Horticulture, 0.3%, and miscellaneous, 0.2%.

                  Impacts
                  (N/A)

                  Publications


                    Progress 01/01/90 to 12/30/90

                    Outputs
                    The number of soil samples analyzed for the 12-month period ending September 30,1990 for each kind of analysis is tabulated as follows: soil texture, 243; water content at 10 kPa, 24; 33 kPa, 170; 50 kPa, 24; 100 kPa, 261; 500 kPa, 159; 1 MPa, 24; 1.5 MPa, 261; and miscellaneous pressures, 96. Over 90% of the samples were for research and extension programs in the Department of Soil Science. Considerable effort was spent trouble shooting and repairing the aging equipment for soil water characteristic determinations.

                    Impacts
                    (N/A)

                    Publications


                      Progress 01/01/89 to 12/30/89

                      Outputs
                      The number of soil samples analyzed for the 12-month period ending September 30,1989 for each kind of analysis is tabulated as follows: soil texture, 679; water content at 0.1 bar SMT, 33; 0.33 bar SMT, 32; 1.0 bar SMT, 84; 5 bar SMT, 82; 15 bar SMT, 90; and all other SMT's, 38. Samples run for the Departments of Crop Science, Plant Pathology, and Forestry accounted for 42.5% of all analyses. Fifty-two percent of the analyses were performed for research, teaching and extension programs in the Department of Soil Science. The remaining 5.3% of analyses was done for NCDA and consultants.

                      Impacts
                      (N/A)

                      Publications


                        Progress 01/01/88 to 12/30/88

                        Outputs
                        The number of samples analyzed for the 12-month period ending 30 September 1988 for each kind of analysis is tabulated as follows: soil texture, 1028; water content at 0.1 bar, 35; -0.33 bar water content, 796; -0.50 bar water content, 12; -1.0 bar water content, 445; -5.0 bar water content, 124; -10 bar water content, 31: and -15 bar water content, 949. Ninety-four percent of the analyses were performed for research and extension programs in the Department of Soil Science. The remaining 6% was for the Departments of Entomology, Chemical Engineering, Crop Science and Botany.

                        Impacts
                        (N/A)

                        Publications


                          Progress 01/01/87 to 12/30/87

                          Outputs
                          The number of soil samples analyzed for the 12-month period ending 30 September 1987 for each kind of analysis is tabulated as follows: soil texture, 938; water content at 0.1 bar soil moisture tension, 491; 0.20 bar water content, 2; 0.33 bar water content, 627; 0.50 bar water content, 244; 1.0 bar water content, 441; 2.0 bar water content, 401; 3.0 bar water content, 42; 5.0 bar water content, 286; 10.0 bar water content, 35; 15.0 bar water content, 1102; and sand fraction, 182. Seventy-eight percent of the analyses were performed for research and extension programs in the Department of Soil Science. The remaining 22% of the analyses were for the Departments of Forestry, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Entomology, Crop Science, and Horticulture Science. Samples were also analyzed for the USDA Agricultural Research Service and for Clemson University.

                          Impacts
                          (N/A)

                          Publications


                            Progress 01/01/86 to 12/30/86

                            Outputs
                            The number of soil samples analyzed between 1 October 1985 and 30 September 1986for each kind of analysis is: soil texture, 1153 samples; -10kPa water content, 623 samples, -33kPa water content, 641; -50kPa water content, 114, -100kPa water content, 1251; -500kPa water content, 501; and -1500kPa water content, 1796. The laboratory facility was utilized for one of the laboratory exercises for Soil Science 511 (Soil Physics).

                            Impacts
                            (N/A)

                            Publications


                              Progress 01/01/85 to 12/30/85

                              Outputs
                              The number of soil samples analyzed between 1 October 1984 and 30 September 1985for each kind of analysis is tabulated below: soil texture, 2,088 samples; -10kPa water content, 860 samples; -33kPa water content, 1164; -50kPa water content, 224; -100kPa water content, 770; -500kPa water content, 644, and -1500kPa water content, 2,536. Over 75% of the analyses were performed for research leaders in the Soil Science Department. Sixty samples were analyzed for backstopping NCSU Extension Service in solving irrigation scheduling problems.

                              Impacts
                              (N/A)

                              Publications


                                Progress 04/01/84 to 12/30/84

                                Outputs
                                In June, the soil physical property characterization laboratory began assessing a modest charge for textural analysis and for soil water characteristic data. The laboratory is structured for making water content measurements at matric potentials of -10, -33, -100, and -1500 kPa although data for other matric potential can be obtained on special request. The hydrometer method is used to determine texture; no sand fractionation is provided nor is organic matter removed prior to sedimentation analysis. Initiating the small charge for these services may have reduced the number of samples submitted to the laboratory for 1984. During the 1984 year, 1,145 soil texture analyses and 3,001 points on soil water characteristic curves were determined.

                                Impacts
                                (N/A)

                                Publications