Soils Lab 1

Lab 1: Introduction to Soil Sampling and Testing
What can I expect to learn in today’s laboratory?
Introduction
Perhaps one of the best places for us to begin a soils lab is to discuss
foundational concepts in a soil sampling and/or testing program.
Whether your job is to grow crops, to assess environmental impact, to
design a sanitary landfill, or to restore soil that has been severely
disturbed by strip mining, it is important to know something about the
physical, chemical, and biological status of the soils in question. In
today's lab your instructor will introduce you to basic procedures
involved in sampling soils and preparing soil samples for analysis.
The Golden Rule of Soil Testing
The so called golden rule of soil sampling is that the results of your soil
analysis can be no better than the quality of the sample collected. In
other words, you are working under the assumption that the soil you are
analyzing accurately represents the system you are studying. In light of
this foundational concept, it is important for us to become familiar with
some basic guidelines for sampling soils.
Guidelines for Sampling Soils
1. In some cases there can be rather significant spatial variations in soil

properties, both vertically and horizontally. This variation may be the
result of natural factors and/or human management such as fertilization,
manuring, tillage, or irrigation
2. The key in sampling a large area is to subdivide the area into

relatively homogenous units. This is somewhat of a judgment call, but
there are guidelines that will help us.
3. In most cases, the soil sample we will take to the lab for analysis is
known as a composite sample, because it consists of a number of
subsamples taken within a given uniform area.
4. We should avoid taking subsamples from unusual or atypical areas

that are clearly not representative of most of the area in question. This
would include things such as wet spots, fence rows, and manure piles
5. If you are sampling to determine fertilizer recommendations, collect
samples as soon before planting as your circumstances will permit.
Avoid sampling in the fall right after crops are harvested as this will
produce a bias is toward low values.
6. Subdivide large uniform fields into smaller units and collect a

composite sample from each unit.
7. Sample at a depth recommended by the soil lab that is going to

analyze your soil. Typically recommended depths vary from 6" - 12".
8. Sometimes the depth of the sample is critical. For pH, P, and K or

with shallow rooted crops, a sample as shallow as 4" may be adequate.
9. For the so-called 'mobile' nutrients such as nitrate or sulfate, and for
deep rooted crops, such as alfalfa or tree crops, deeper sampling is
recommended. Deep sampling can mean anywhere from 10" - several
feet.
10. Sample once a year until you have a good sense of the field or area
in question. Then sample every 2 or 3 years.
11. For hard or frozen soil, a special soil auger may be used
Other Important Aspects of Soil Sampling
According to Crepin and Johnson (1993), soil sampling for

environmental assessment can be divided into two major categories:
1. Judgmental sampling
2. Random sampling
In judgmental sampling, your strategy is to sample for visible or known

differences. For example, if you have strong reason to believe that an
area has been contaminated with Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's),
you may intentionally select areas near power transformers to collect
soil samples. Judgmental sampling is often used for this kind of
exploratory soil sampling. Exploratory sampling might be used in
industrial waste sites, chemical spill sites, or landfills.
Random sampling is a sampling strategy that allows any combination of

subsamples to become part of the composite sample. Although we use
the term random, the sampling procedure does have a defined
structure. For example, before collecting a random sample, you may
visit the area, draw a rough diagram, and decide in advance where you
will collect your samples. What is the essential distinction between
random sampling and judgmental sampling? We can answer this by
referring to the previous example with PCB's. In random sampling you
wouldn't purposely select most of the soil samples around the base of a
power transformer with the specific intention of biasing your chances of
obtaining PCB's in your composite sample. An advantage of random
sampling is that the results may be analyzed by standard statistical
procedures.
Demonstration of soil probes
Weather permitting, your instructor will help you become familiar with
several types of soil probes.
Correlating Soil Test Results with Plant Growth
In many cases, soils are sampled and tested with the specific objective
of correlating the soil analyses with plant growth. To determine the
physical, chemical, or biological status of soils, and correlate this data
with plant growth, a wide range of tests have been developed. This use
of soil testing is both an art and a science. It's important to remember
that a soil test is no better than the quality of the sample tested.
What is the basic philosophy behind soil testing and it's correlation with
plant growth?
What are the chief considerations in developing a soil test that can be
used in commercial soil testing laboratories?
Sample preparation
In preparing a soil sample for testing, we will often take three basic
steps.
1.
2.
3.
Sometimes, special precautions are necessary, e.g. with nitrate

sampling. If microbiological activity is likely to alter values significantly
samples may need to be refrigerated or frozen.

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Lab 1: Introduction to Soil Sampling and Testing

What can I expect to learn in today’s laboratory?

The Golden Rule of Soil Testing

Guidelines for Sampling Soils

1. In some cases there can be rather significant spatial variations in soil

2. The key in sampling a large area is to subdivide the area into

4. We should avoid taking subsamples from unusual or atypical areas

6. Subdivide large uniform fields into smaller units and collect a

7. Sample at a depth recommended by the soil lab that is going to

8. Sometimes the depth of the sample is critical. For pH, P, and K or

Other Important Aspects of Soil Sampling

According to Crepin and Johnson (1993), soil sampling for

In judgmental sampling, your strategy is to sample for visible or known

Random sampling is a sampling strategy that allows any combination of

Demonstration of soil probes

Correlating Soil Test Results with Plant Growth

Sometimes, special precautions are necessary, e.g. with nitrate

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