Soil Sampling | Soil Sampling Procedures | Soil Sample | Soil Sample Collection

Summary

This instructional video script outlines the essential steps for collecting and preparing a composite soil sample for analysis. It emphasizes the importance of proper procedure, personal protective equipment, and the selection of uniform soil areas. The process involves dividing the farm into uniform lots, removing surface debris, and carefully excavating soil samples. After thorough mixing, the samples are air-dried, crushed, and sieved to obtain a representative composite sample, which is then documented with farm and crop information.

Takeaways

• 🧑‍🔬 Trainers should follow a proper procedure for collecting composite soil samples and preparing them for analysis.
• 🧤 Personal protective equipment such as gloves, long sleeves, pants, hat, and boots are necessary for soil sampling.
• 📋 Materials required for soil sampling include a trowel, soil auger, paper, hammer, sieve, plastic bag, weighing scale, pen, and paper.
• 🌡 Soil should be sampled when it is neither too wet nor too dry to ensure accurate analysis.
• 🚫 Avoid sampling near fences, roads, building sites, or other areas of abnormal occurrences to prevent contamination.
• 📏 Collect samples that represent an area uniform in slope, texture, depth, drainage, and crop types.
• 🔄 Do not mix light and dark colored soils or samples of different textures to maintain sample integrity.
• 🔢 Divide the farm into lots that are uniform in characteristics for a representative composite sample.
• 🌱 Remove grass or debris from the surface before digging to ensure a clean sample.
• 🕳 Dig and discard the top layer of soil to expose a clean vertical side for sampling.
• 🗃️ Mix multiple samples from different points to create a composite sample that represents the entire area.
• 📝 Record detailed information on the soil information sheet, including the farm's name, location, area, and crops grown or to be grown.

Q & A

What are the two main tasks a trainer should be able to perform according to the script?

The trainer should be able to follow the proper procedure in collecting a composite soil sample and collect and prepare a composite soil sample for analysis.

What personal protective equipment is necessary for collecting soil samples as mentioned in the script?

The necessary personal protective equipment includes gloves, long sleeves, pants, a hat, and boots.

What materials are required for collecting and preparing a composite soil sample according to the script?

The required materials are a paid, bolo, ER, fail, paper, hammer, sieve, plastic bag, weighing scale, pen, and paper.

When should soil samples be collected according to the script?

Soil samples should be collected when the soil is not too wet or too dry.

What should be avoided when selecting areas for soil sample collection?

Avoid areas near fences, roads, building sites, and other abnormal occurrences.

What characteristics should a soil sample represent according to the script?

A soil sample should represent an area that is uniform in slope, texture, depth, drainage, and crop rings.

Why should different areas with varying characteristics be sampled separately?

Different areas with varying characteristics should be sampled separately to ensure the accuracy and representativeness of the composite soil sample.

What is the first step in the procedure for collecting a composite soil sample?

The first step is to divide the farm into lots that are uniform in slope, texture, depth, and drainage.

How should the soil be prepared before taking a sample according to step 2 and step 3 of the procedure?

The grass or crop residue should be cleared away, and enough soil should be dug out and discarded to expose a clean vertical side about 20 to 30 centimeters deep.

What is the purpose of mixing the samples in step 6 of the procedure?

The purpose of mixing the samples is to ensure a representative composite sample that reflects the average soil conditions of the area.

What should be done with the soil sample after it has been air-dried according to step 8 and step 9?

After the soil sample has been air-dried, the clumps should be crushed during the drying process, and the first and third parts of the sample should be discarded.

What information should be included on the soil information sheet attached to the final soil sample?

The soil information sheet should include the date, farmer's name, location of the farm, area of the farm, and the crop grown and to be grown.