Soil sampling for chemical analysis

Summary

This instructional video demonstrates the proper technique for collecting soil samples for nutrient analysis. It covers the use of a soil auger, sample bags, and tags to obtain samples at 10 and 20 centimeters depth. The script emphasizes the importance of sampling at right angles to the land's slope, removing soil from the auger, and ensuring sample integrity. It also explains how to handle potential compaction and the process of creating a composite sample from multiple soil samples, highlighting the need for accuracy and careful handling throughout the sampling process.

Takeaways

• 🧪 Conduct a soil chemistry test to understand nutrient supply.
• 🛠 Use a soil corer for collecting samples, along with a table knife, cloth, sample tags, and bags.
• 📏 Ensure the soil corer is placed at right angles to the land's slope, straight up and down if the land is flat.
• 🔍 Collect a sample down to 10 centimeters for initial chemistry analysis.
• 🕳️ Remove soil from the outside of the core and clean the core if necessary.
• 🔄 If sampling down to 20 centimeters, use the same hole and push the corer down to the marked depth.
• 💪 Use a rubber mat to assist in pushing the corer if the soil is hard.
• 🗑️ Discard samples that are uncertain or contaminated and collect new ones.
• 📦 Secure the sample in a bag and label it with the appropriate depth range.
• 🔬 Collect multiple soil samples to create a composite sample for accurate analysis.
• 📝 After collection, secure the bag, place the tag inside and outside the bag for proper identification.

Q & A

What is the purpose of conducting a soil chemistry test?

The purpose of conducting a soil chemistry test is to understand the nutrient supply of a site, which helps in assessing soil fertility and determining the necessary amendments for optimal plant growth.

What tools are required for collecting a soil sample for chemistry analysis?

The tools required for collecting a soil sample include a soil auger, a club hammer, a table knife, cloth sample tags, bags, and a plastic tray.

How should the soil auger be positioned when collecting a sample on flat land?

When collecting a soil sample on flat land, the soil auger should be positioned straight up and down, perpendicular to the mineral soil surface.

What is the correct way to position the soil auger if the land is sloping?

If the land is sloping, the soil auger should be placed at right angles to the slope of the land to ensure a proper sample is collected.

How deep should the soil auger be pushed into the ground for a standard soil sample?

The soil auger should be pushed down to a depth of 10 centimeters for a standard soil sample.

What should be done if the soil is hard to remove from the auger?

If the soil is hard to remove from the auger, a cloth can be used to gently clean off the soil from the outside of the auger.

Can the same hole be used to collect samples at different depths?

Yes, the same hole can be used to collect samples at different depths, such as 0 to 10 centimeters and then 10 to 20 centimeters, by carefully reinserting the auger.

What should be done if the soil sample is contaminated during extraction?

If the soil sample is contaminated during extraction, the contaminated portion should be removed, and the sample should be collected again to ensure the integrity of the analysis.

How should the soil samples be divided if the auger has compacted the soil?

If the auger has compacted the soil, the sample should be discarded, and new samples should be collected separately for the 0 to 10 centimeter and 10 to 20 centimeter depths.

What is the importance of collecting multiple soil samples to make one composite sample?

Collecting multiple soil samples to make one composite sample helps to ensure that the analysis represents the overall soil conditions of the site, providing a more accurate assessment of the nutrient supply.

How should the composite soil sample be secured and labeled after collection?

After collecting the composite sample, the bag should be secured, and the sample tag should be placed inside the bag and one outside for proper identification and record-keeping.