Using Perlite to Improve Moisture in Sandy Soil in Taphrik Subdistrict, Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province

Abstract

This research aims to study the effect of perlite on available water capacity of soil, by mixing perlite with sandy soil in experimental plots. The experimental design of the research used a complete block randomization with 2 treatments and 3 replications including the experimental plot that mixed perlite at a rate of 10 tons/hectare and the control plot that did not mix perlite. Soil samples were collected without disturbance using a soil corer for soil physical parameter analysis and available water capacity was determined by analyzing the differences in soil moisture levels between field capacity and permanent wilting point. The results showed that the soil in the study area was sandy soil consisting of 89.1% sand, 7.3% silt and 3.6% clay, with a bulk density of 1.46 g/cm³, a soil particle density of 2.58 g/cm³, and a porosity of approximately 38%. The study also found that the available water capacity of the soil before soil amendment was show no significantly difference from the control plots. However, after 60 days of soil amendment with perlite 10 tons per hectare, the available water capacity of the experimental plots increased to an average of 12.48%, which higher than the control plots with an average of 8.58%. After 120 days of soil amendment, the available water capacity of the soil continued to increase in both experimental and control plots, whereas the experimental plots amended with perlite still had a higher water-holding capacity at an average of 11.19%, compared to the control plots with an average of 9.15%. Overall, the results of this study suggest that soil amendment with perlite can improve the water-holding capacity of sandy soil, which may have implications for increasing crop productivity and water-use efficiency.