SOIL AND PLANT ANALYSIS (1+1)

Introduction

• The objective of soil sampling is to obtain reliable information about a particular soil.


• The value of laboratory data in soil studies largely depends on effective sampling.


• Soil sampling is one of the most important aspects in the determination of the properties of the soil.


• Care in preparation and analysis can overcome the damages of careless or inappropriate sampling in the field (Bates, 1993).


• Errors arising from sampling are mainly related to spatial variability of the soil.


• While keeping in mind financial constraints, sampling procedures should be adopted properly to minimize the influence of spatial variability and to maximize the accuracy of mean plot values for the measured soil variables.


• The obtained soil data should be representative for the whole observation plot, taking into consideration the spatial variability of the soil within the plot.