ESC/BIO 334-SOIL SCIENCE

The Von Helmont Problem

A 17th century scientist, Jan Baptiste Von Helmont put a 2.3 kg. (5 lb.) willow tree in 90.8 kg (200 lbs). of soil.  The tree received only rainwater for five years.  After 5 years, Von Helmont found that the soil only weighed 57 g less than when the experiment began.  The willow tree now weighed 76.8 kg (169 lbs. 3 oz.).   What was responsible for the tree weight gain and the loss of soil weight?

Mulch Problem

Complete this matrix.  Rank (1,2,3,4) soil temperature (T); rank (1,2,3,4) water retention (W).

 
  Light Colored Mulch Dark Colored Mulch
Summer T                                        W T                                        W
Winter T                                        W T                                        W

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