EB1595

     

Orchard Soil Sampling

     

Orchard soil testing has special value in the following situations.

1. Before planting or replanting—for prediction of fertilizer needs

and/or of possible soil-related problems.

2. In established orchards—for prediction of fertilizer needs for the

cover crop and, in some instances, for the trees.

3. In established orchards—for diagnosis of soil-related problems

involving poor tree performance.

The Soil Variability Problem

Soils are variable. In fact, most surface soils vary a great deal within short distances
across the landscape. The variability is much greater than most people realize. Some
of the variability can be seen or anticipated because of obvious differences in slope,
depth, texture, etc. However, much of the variability is not visible, either because it
is below the soil surface or cannot be detected except by soil tests.

This is well illustrated in Figure 1, which shows soil test levels for phosphorus (P) at
50-foot intervals on a grid in a field that appeared to be uniform. The field was
heavily leveled in preparation for rill irrigation, which explains the extreme
variability.

To obtain samples that represent conditions in the field, it is extremely important that
the sampler closely follow the sampling instructions given.
 Figure 1. Variability in soil test P in a 12-acre field.

GUIDE TO PROPER SAMPLING

Sampling Tools
The recommended and most frequently used tool is the open-face, 36-inch soil
sampling tube graduated to either 6 or 12 inches. The inside diameter is usually 3/4
inch and the open-face slot is usually l 2 inches long (see Fig. 2).

If a sampling tube is not available, one can use an irrigation shovel in an attempt to
simulate the sampling done by a tube, but, at best, the sampling job will not be as
good. If sampling is difficult because of gravel, hardpan, etc., one may have to use a
soil auger. For sampling below 3 feet, a King tube is best in soils not having gravel
or stones. The King tube requires pounding with a heavy hammer.

Sampling equipment should be of stainless steel. Containers should be plastic or

plastic-coated to prevent contamination.

 
Figure 2. An open-face sampling tube. The tip is
slightly enlarged on the outside and slightly
tapered inward on the inside for efficient
extraction of samples.

 
Before Planting
An established orchard involves a large capital investment and is expected to remain
in production for many years. Improper or insufficient sampling usually means
improper fertilization. Improper fertilization before planting cannot be readily
corrected after planting and the problem may continue for the life of the orchard
resulting in cumulative reduction in profits.

Considerable evidence indicates the advantages of applying such needed immobile

nutrients, as potassium (K) or zinc (Zn) before planting long-term perennials, such
as hops, grapes, or tree fruits.

l. Divide each field into sampling units (Fig. 3). This refers to areas
within a field that are known to be different from one another because
of slope, soil depth, cropping and fertilizer history, drainage, areas of
poor growth, etc. Each of such areas can be considered a sampling unit.
If a sampling unit is less than 2 acres, take 8 to l0 soil cores, l foot in
depth, throughout the unit. This is called a composite sample. If the unit
is greater than 2 acres, sample it intensively.

2. Sample intensively (Fig. 3). In addition to the obvious variations are

the hidden variations that nearly always occur in each field or sampling
unit even though it may appear to be uniform.

One composite sample from a large unit can be very misleading.

Intensive sampling is an important new concept which considers soil
variability and provides a basis for precision fertilization. Take at least
one point sample from each acre. A point sample is a small composite
of five cores within a l0-foot radius. In any case, never take only one
point or one composite sample from fields larger than 2 or 3 acres.

3. Map the field. Obtain a Soil Conservation Service map of the farm
showing soil type and physical properties, such as slope, soil depth, and
 soil texture. Become familiar with the names and properties of all soils
on the farm. This is an excellent resource and a useful base from which
to map in further detail.

Proper sampling provides an excellent opportunity for mapping the field

according to physical properties. This information is a valuable basis for
making management decisions. One already has a good start when he
has delineated the field into sampling units—areas having visible
differences, such as slope, etc. Then during the process of intensive
sampling, the sampling site in each acre can be examined with the soil
tube to 3 feet for soil depth, texture, and possible physical problems.
Thus, a map can be constructed based on visible delineations on the
surface, plus information obtained by examination of the soil beneath
the surface. This information can then be correlated with the original
SCS map.

4. Sample to the proper depth. In general, soil test correlation research

is based on the surface foot of soil. Therefore, take 0- to l 2-inch
samples when testing for pH, organic matter, salts, P, K, boron (B), and
Zn. When testing for nitrate (NO 3 N) before planting the orchard, sample
by foot-depth increments to 3 feet.

 
 Figure 3. Soil sampling an 18-acre
field containing five sampling units.
Units 1, 2, 3, and 5, each comprising
1 acre or less, are sampled by taking
one composite sample in each. Unit 4
is sampled intensively. Each circle,
approximately 10 feet in diameter,
represents a "point" sample. Each x
represents one sample core taken with
a soil tube. Each point sample
comprising five cores is kept separate
from all others and is analyzed
separately.

Before Replanting
Soil sampling and testing procedures for orchards to be replanted can follow the
same general principles as before a new planting except that:
 l. Old apple tree sites should be sampled separately, if this is feasible.
Tree sites can be identified either by sampling immediately after
removal of the tree or by a very intensive sampling for short distances in
two directions to determine areas of highest and lowest arsenic (As)
content.

2. It may be advisable to run the special tests (As, salts, pH, B, NO 3N)
as well as the tests for P, K, and Zn.

Established Orchards
Cover Crop. Soil testing for predicting fertilizer needs for established fruit trees is
more complex than for field crops and has some limitations. However, except for N.
it can be said that "what is good for the cover crop or sod is good for the trees." Soil
testing of surface-foot samples taken between trees is considered to be of value for
both cover crop and trees. The sampler should follow somewhat the sampling
principles outlined under "Before Planting" section. Such samples should be tested
for pH, salts, P, EC, Zn, and B.

Special Problems. In established orchards, soil chemical problems sometimes occur

which relate to past management practices. The most common problem has to do
with the placement of ammonium fertilizer in a circular band inside the drip line
resulting in low pH and possible toxic levels of manganese (Mn). Other problems
involve excessive levels of As, B, or salts.

Sampling should be done where the fertilizer was applied—usually from at least
halfway inside the drip line to the trunk. Research has shown that the problem is
frequently within 2 feet of the trunk. Sample by foot-depth increments to a depth of
3 feet, depending on the soil depth, in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 4. A
good procedure is to sample from good and poor trees for comparison. Tests should
include pH, B. As, salts, and NO 3 N. Interpretation should be made with the help of
the Extension agent or other qualified person.

Monitoring Sites. Test soil every three years to monitor the levels of salts, pH, and
B in the area of fertilizer application inside the drip line. Take samples from
individual trees by foot-depth increments to 3 feet and from four sides of the tree. It
would be desirable to select one tree in every acre for this purpose. The purpose is to
avoid low pH levels, excessive salts, and either too low or too high soil B levels.

Figure 4. Diagram of a young tree

  indicating the area of sampling for
diagnosis of special problems. X indicates
probable location of sample cores.
 

Soil Testing
Send samples to commercial laboratories located in various parts of the state.
Assistance in sampling, packaging, and locating laboratories can be obtained
through the county Extension offices.

A.I. Dow Extension Soil Scientist, Prosser; F.A. Rushmore, Area Extension Agent, Wenatchee; A.R.
Halvorson. Extension Soil Scientist, and R.B. Tukey (deceased). Extension Horticulturist, Pullman,
Washington State University.

Issued by Washington State University Cooperative Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in
furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Cooperative Extension programs and policies are
consistent with federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color, gender,
national origin, religion, age, disability, and sexual orientation. Trade names have been used to simplify
information: no endorsement is intended. Revised from and replaces EM4429. January 1991. Subject
codes 371, 230. A