Mervin Ligan

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Northwest Samar State University

Rueda St. Calbayog city

College of Arts and Sciences

Laboratory Exercise # 1
Soil Science 1
(Principle of Soil Sampling)

Name: Ligan, Mervin B. Date: Feb.19, 2020

Course/Section: 1st year BAT

I. Introduction
Every area is different, when it comes to soil type and nutrients content in soil. Soil
sampling and testing can show you chemical factors important for winter wheat production.
Careful soil sampling and sample handling is essential for accurate fertility recommendations.
Samples must accurately reflect the fertility of the soil, so that analysis, interpretation, and
recommendations correctly represent the nutrient status of the entire field.

Soil sample is very important to us and especially for the farmers to know what nutrient
does the soil have and what nutrients does it lack. Soil sampling are important to us and to
farmers to how to improve the quality of the soil and lastly to know what crops are applicable
to be raised in that kind of areas and that can be more productive.

II. Objectives
This exercise is conducted with the following objectives:

1. Familiarized the basic steps in gathering soil samples; and

2. Relate the importance of soil samples gathered in relations to soil fertility and crop yield.

III. Materials and Methods


1. Prepare the following material palls, shovel, bolo, plastic, and meter stick.

2. Divide the farm according to the crops, type of soil (sandy, clayey, or loamy) and topography
(flat, slopping, or hill). Collect samples separately from the different soil unit areas and place
them in separate containers.

3. Brush away stones, rubbish, trash, or glass on the surface of the land.

4. Using the shovel, push it down the surface of top soil to a depth of approximately 15cm and
get a slice of soil sample 2cm thick and 5cm wide. Place this in 1 container.
5. Get similar samples at random from as many as 10 sites and mix them in a container. Get a
composite soil samples of about 1 kilo to represent the soil unit area.

6. For areas to be devoted to orchard, for instance citrus orchard, get subsoil sample from
below the 25cm down from where the topsoil sample will be taken. A composite subsoil sample
is also required for fruit trees / permanent crop.

For fruit trees, soil samples should be taken directly below the rim of the crow of the tree.

0 to 25cm depth for shallow rooted plants like rice, corn, and vegetables. 25 to 30 1cm depth
for fruit trees/permanent crops like coconut.

7. Air dry the soil samples by spreading them in old newspaper or mats under the shade or
indoor. Be sure to avoid contaminations among the samples and keep them away from dirt or
foreign matters specially cigarette ash. Divide representatives soil samples into 4. Remove soil
sample 1 and 3 retain soil sample 2 and 4. Repeat the process 4 times until you obtain 1 kilo
sample.

8. When air-dried, get at least 1 kilo from each composite soil sample and place it separately in
a plastic bag. One kilo air-dried soil is equivalent to 3 cans of condensed milk full of soil.

9. Label the bags properly and send them to the nearest soil laboratory.

IV. Discussion
When we conducted this activity we exerted more time and efforts for gathering data,
we just form a letter Z using the straw and we dig or we make 3 holes by using shovel , in every
hole we get 3 sample the top soil , middle , and the bottom and each of them we put in a plastic
or a container though in conducting this activity is not easy because of the root of the citrus but
still we finished it before the time and I observed that the location where did we assigned is
clay .

V. Review of Related Literature

This publication provides information on techniques of soil sampling and analysis for
horticulture and agriculture. Soils are sampled to determine physical conditions, fertility
(nutrient) status, and chemical properties that affect their suitability as plant growing media.
Through a combination of field and greenhouse research, analytical methods have been
developed which provide quantitative estimates of plant-available nutrients. Field research
determines the optimum soil test levels for various nutrients for specific soil and crop
combinations. Optimum fertilizer practices can be determined by knowing the optimum test
level of each nutrient for a specific crop and soil, and by knowing how much fertilizer is
required to change soil test values.

Soil testing is comprised of four steps:


▪ Collection of a representative soil sample
▪ Laboratory analyses of the soil sample
▪ Interpretation of analytical results
▪ Management recommendations based on interpreted analytical results
This publication focuses on the first two of these steps. The reader should gain an
understanding of the proper methods for collecting soil samples, and of the potentials and
limitations of soil testing.
Soil Sampling
The first and most critical step in soil testing is collecting a soil sample. A soil analysis
can only be as good as the sample sent to the laboratory. It is important to recognize what a
tiny portion of a field is actually analyzed in the laboratory. For example, a 1 lb soil sample
collected from a 5 acre field represents just 1/10,000,000 of the field! Therefore, it is vital that
the soil sample be representative of the entire field.
The most common and economical method for sampling an area is composite
sampling, where sub-samples are collected from randomly selected locations in a field, and the
subsamples are composited for analysis. The analytical results from composite sampling
provide average values for the sampled area. The actual number of sub-samples depends on
field size and uniformity. Generally, a larger field or a less uniform field should be more
intensively sampled than one that is small and Revised 10/11 College of Agriculture and Life
Sciences AZ1412 uniform. No less than 5 sub-samples should be taken from a sampled area,
and 15 to 25 are preferable.
Alternatively, areas can be grid-sampled in a regular pattern. Each sample is analyzed
separately, so that variability in soil properties can be determined. With data provided by grid
sampling, maps of soil test values can be constructed. This information can be entered into a
geographical information system (GIS) and combined with additional geospatial data, such as
soil texture, crop yields, leaf analyses, etc. and used in precision agriculture systems for variable
application of fertilizers and other crop inputs. This is a much more expensive method of soil
analysis because of the large number of analyses required, although it provides valuable
information about geospatial uniformity which can be used in precision agriculture.
Ideally, samples should be collected with a soil probe or auger (a small shovel or
trowel can also be used), to the depth of tillage (usually 6 to 8 inches) or to the effective rooting
depth of plants. Deeper samples may be collected for evaluation of subsoil properties, such as
salt or nitrate accumulation. It is helpful to sample to the same depth each time a soil is
sampled, so that year to year samples can be directly compared to monitor changes over time.
Each sub-sample should be approximately equal in size. The sub-samples should be placed in a
clean plastic bucket and mixed thoroughly. The desired sample amount is then removed from
the bucket and the remainder discarded. Check with your testing laboratory to find out how
large a sample they require.
The area or size of the field sampled is dependent upon management practices. Sample
the smallest unit that will be managed separately. For example, if a field has two distinctly
different sections, perhaps one half level and the other sloped, then sample the two areas
separately, and fertilize each half separately to obtain optimum results. However, if each half of
the area will not be fertilized or managed individually, there is no need for separate sampling. A
single, representative sample will be less expensive and just as useful. Sample the smallest
management unit.
Soil samples should be air-dried or taken to a test laboratory as soon as possible. To dry
a soil sample, spread the soil out in a clean, warm, dry area, and let it dry for two to three days.
It is best not to heat or dry soil samples in an oven because soil chemical properties may be
altered. Bag the sample and send it College of Agriculture and Life Sciences J.L. Walworth 2 The
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension to a laboratory for analysis. Soil samples can be
refrigerated for several days if they cannot be dried immediately.
When is the best time of year to collect soil samples? Soil test values change slightly
during the year, but the primary consideration for timing for most soil sample collection is
convenience (nitrogen tests are an exception, see below). Collect samples early enough in the
cropping cycle to allow results to be used to adjust management practices.
How frequently should soil samples be collected? The frequency with which soil
samples should be collected depends on the specific soil test, environmental conditions, and
value of the crop. Status of some soil nutrients can change quickly, whereas others do not. For
example, phosphorus levels in soil are unlikely to change rapidly and annual testing may be
unnecessary. Nitrogen levels, on the other hand, change very quickly and frequent tests are
required to obtain accurate determinations of plant-available levels. A new soil analysis might
be necessary after heavy rains or after a prolonged period of water-logging if one needs an
accurate measure of soil nitrogen.
When making substantial changes to soil fertility levels, it is a good idea to make the change
over a period of two to three years, retesting the soil annually. If a crop does not have a high
economic value, then occasional soil testing (once every 3 to 4 years) may be adequate in the
absence of any noticeable nutritional problems. In contrast, commercial production of high
value crops may warrant annual testing to ensure maximum yields.

Soil Analyses
After soil samples are received at a laboratory, a number of tests can be performed. A
general understanding of soil testing will help you know how the results can be interpreted and
to appreciate the accuracy of analytical results.
Soils supply most of the mineral nutrition for higher plants through the plant’s root
system. The root system extracts nutrients from the soil over a long period of time; two to
three Figure 1. On the left: dividing and sampling scheme for a sloped field with distinct upper,
middle, and lower areas. Circles represent sub-sample locations which are composited for each
of the three areas. On the right: grid-sampling a field. Each sample is analyzed separately to
evaluate field variability. months for most annual crops, years for perennial crops. In contrast, a
soil test determines the soil’s nutrient supplying capacity by mixing soil for only a few minutes
with a strong extracting solution (often an acid or a combination of acids). The soil reacts with
the extracting solution, releasing some of the nutrients. The solution is filtered and assayed for
the concentration of each nutrient. The nutrient concentration is then related to field
calibration research that indicates the yield level reached with varying soil nutrient
concentrations. This method works very well for some nutrients, but is less accurate for others,
for example those nutrients supplied largely from organic matter (OM) decomposition such as
nitrogen and sulfur. This is primarily due to the difficulty of estimating or predicting the rate at
which OM will decompose and release these nutrients in plant-available forms.
Individual analyses included in a ‘standard’ or ‘routine’ soil test varies from laboratory to
laboratory, but generally include soil pH, and available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). They
sometimes also include available calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), salinity, and often include
an analysis of OM content and soil texture. Most laboratories offer nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), and
micronutrient analyses for additional cost.
The methods used to test soils vary depending on chemical properties of the soil. For
example, tests used for measuring soil P are quite different in the acidic soils common in the
southeastern U.S. than those used in the alkaline soils of the southwest. Analysis of
southwestern soils with methods tailored for acidic soils will provide erroneous results.
Therefore, it is important to be aware of the methods used by test labs, and to select methods
that are regionally appropriate. Local laboratories will generally use methods appropriate for
your soils and your laboratory should provide you with test method information. A listing of
local soil test laboratories may be found in the University of Arizona publication, “Laboratories
Conducting Soil, Plant, Feed or Water Testing” (AZ1111) http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/
garden/az1111.pdf .

STANDARD SOIL TESTS pH


Soil pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a soil. The term pH applies to solutions,
so the analysis must be conducted on a soil/water mixture. The soil sample is mixed with water,
allowed to equilibrate for at least an hour, and then the pH measured. Several factors affect pH
measurement. Primary among these is the salt concentration of a soil (a salt is any molecule
that, when placed in water, separates into positively and negatively charged components or
ions). The salt concentration of a soil may vary with the season or with fertilizer application, and
is generally greater immediately following fertilizer application than before. The result may be
an apparent pH drop up to one-half a pH unit.
When samples are collected frequently or at various times of the year it may be noted
that pH values tend to increase and decrease, seemingly at random. This can lead to questions
regarding the reliability of soil pH measurements, but the fluctuations may be due to changes in
soil salt levels and do not usually present a serious problem in the use of the analysis. Some
laboratories measure pH in a dilute salt solution to mask salt-induced variations. This method
gives lower pH values for which the laboratory should provide interpretation guidelines.

Electrical Conductivity (EC)


Electrical conductivity (EC) of a soil extract is used to estimate the level of soluble salts.
The standard method is to saturate the soil sample with water, vacuum filter to separate water
from soil, and then measure EC of the saturated paste extract. The result is referred to as ECe
and is expressed in units of deciSiemens per meter (dS/m). Older literature will likely use units
of millimhos per centimeter (mmho/cm), which are identical to dS/m. Some test laboratories
use different soil:water ratios, and use a multiplication factor to convert results to an ECe
equivalent. EC is a very reliable test for soil salinity, and this is a routine test in the arid
southwest. However, in wetter climates EC is not a standard test so, if soil samples are sent to a
laboratory in another part of the country, EC may have to be specifically requested.

Nitrogen (N)
Nitrogen analyses are not difficult to conduct, but interpreting results can be
problematic. This is because a major portion of soil N is contained in the soil OM. Plant
availability of organic N is dependent on OM breakdown, which is difficult to estimate.
Therefore analyses of “total N”, a sum of all forms of soil N, including organic N, are not
routinely conducted. Instead, N in the nitrate form (NO3 -N) is assayed. Nitrate is directly
available to plants, so this test provides an indication of short term N availability. However, NO3
-N can be quickly lost from soil, either leached past the rooting zone, or lost to the atmosphere
in gaseous forms.
Nitrate analyses can provide an accurate determination of the N available to plants at
the time of soil sampling, although this may not provide reliable information concerning N
availability later in the growing season. If soil N analysis is to be used for making fertilizer
recommendations, soil samples should be collected either shortly before planting time or
during the growing season.
The extractant used to remove NO3 -N from the soil is not particularly important because of its
high solubility. Some laboratories extract NO3 -N from soil with a salt solution, such as
potassium chloride (KCl). However, other laboratories in the southwestern U.S. measure NO3
-N in the same extract used to measure soil P (see below) to reduce analysis costs. Results from
these two kinds of extractants are
directly comparable.
Phosphorus (P) Most soil P is tightly bound to soil particles or contained in relatively
insoluble complexes. The P-containing complexes in alkaline soils are very different than those
in neutral or acidic soils. The amount of P removed during soil extraction is very much
dependent on the nature of P complexes and on the specific extractant used, so it is critical that
P extractants be matched to soil properties.
The Olsen or bicarbonate extractant, a dilute sodium bicarbonate solution, is used to
extract P from calcareous, alkaline, and neutral soils, and is appropriate for Arizona soils. In
contrast, most other P extractants, such as the Mehlich extractants, are suited for acidic soils,
and may not be suitable for arid-region soils. If an appropriate extractant is selected, P analysis
is a reliable and useful soil test. On a soil test report, the analysis may be reported as PO4 -P.

Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Sodium (Na)


The four major exchangeable cations in arid-region soils are K, Ca, Mg, and Na. All
except Na are essential plant nutrients; however Na is included here because it plays an
important role in soil physical properties. Soil Na level is needed for calculations of cation
exchange capacity (CEC) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), discussed later.
An ammonium acetate extractant is used to extract exchangeable K, Ca, Mg, and Na
from arid-region soils, but it does not extract less plant-available forms. Some difficulty may be
encountered in soils containing Ca or Mg carbonates (calcareous soils) because the ammonium
acetate extraction may remove some Ca or Mg from these minerals along with the
exchangeable forms. In these situations, the analytical results may indicate slightly elevated
levels of these nutrients. Some laboratories adjust the pH of the ammonium acetate extractant
to 8.5 to minimize this error. However, this is not usually a large problem and K, Ca and Mg
tests generally provide excellent estimates of plant available levels of these nutrients.

Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)


Cation exchange capacity is often estimated by summing the major exchangeable
cations (K, Ca, Mg, and Na) using units of cmolc /kg. Most laboratories do not routinely conduct
a separate analysis for CEC, but use the ammonium acetate extractable levels of these elements
(discussed above) for this calculation.

Free Lime
Free lime is a measure of soil carbonates (salts of CO3 2-). When combined with an
acid, carbonates release gaseous CO2 . The test usually performed for soil carbonates is semi-
quantitative. A weak acid solution is applied to the soil sample, and the degree of ‘fizzing’ or
release of CO2 gas is determined visually and categorized as ‘none’, ‘low’, ‘medium’, or ‘high’.

Sulfur (S)
Sulfur, like N, may be contained primarily in the soil OM, but plants absorb only the
inorganic sulfate (SO4 2-) form. Measuring total soil S does not provide a good estimate of S
plant availability because rates of release from OM cannot be accurately predicted. Instead, S in
the sulfate form is a more common measure. Sulfate can be extracted from the soil with several
extractants, including water or weak salt solutions. Analysis of SO4 -S is relatively easy, but it
usually provides a measure of immediately available S, and not the soil’s long-term ability to
provide S to a growing plant. Some desert soils contain large quantities of sulfates, in which
case sulfate analysis gives a good indication of the soil’s ability to supply S.

Micronutrients
Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), and Zinc (Zn) — Micronutrient analysis is
optional at most laboratories. Most laboratories in our region use a DTPA-TEA
(diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid - triethanolamine) extractant which uses the chelating
agent DTPA to extract available Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn from soils.
Analyses of these micronutrients are probably less accurate for predicting the likelihood
of plant deficiencies or of crop responses to supplemental application of these nutrients than
analyses of macronutrients such as K, Ca, and Mg because of 1) the influence of dynamic soil
conditions, and 2) the importance of genetically controlled plant micronutrient uptake
mechanisms. For example, Mn availability can change substantially if soil drainage status is
altered, becoming more available in waterlogged soils, and less available in dry soils. Iron
availability is also affected by soil moisture and irrigation practices. Furthermore, availability of
Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn are greatly affected by soil pH, so soils may need to be re-tested if soil pH is
significantly altered. Soil testing can not reliably predict the effects of altering management
practices on availability of these nutrients. Additionally, plants vary considerably in their ability
to extract metal micronutrients from soil. For example, it is not unusual for a tropical plant to
exhibit iron deficiency while an adjacent desert adapted plant does not, even though soil
conditions are identical for both plants.

Boron (B)
— The most common method of extracting B from soils is with hot water. This is an accurate
test, but soil B levels can change rapidly. Boron is highly water soluble and can quickly be
leached from the rooting zone, or moved laterally during monsoon rainfall events. Therefore,
extractable soil B provides estimates of plant availability that are less reliable than those of
many other nutrients, not because of shortcomings with the analytical method, but because of
rapid B movement in the soil.

Molybdenum (Mo)
— Few laboratories conduct soil Mo analysis. Molybdenum is present at very low levels in most
soils, much lower than most of the other nutrients, making an accurate determination difficult.
Most plants have a low requirement for Mo, and slight differences in soil Mo levels can impact
plant performance. Therefore soil tests for Mo are of limited use and are seldom conducted.

Organic Matter (OM)


The OM level of a soil can be determined by several analytical techniques which are
quite accurate. All measure the amount of soil OM or the carbon it contains, but most do not
determine its nature or how it will contribute to soil fertility. Levels of nutrients SAR Na Ca Mg =
+ + + + [ ] [ ] [ ] 2 2 The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension 5 contained in the soil OM
can be determined, but usually are not because rates of mineralization (nutrient release) from
OM which are influenced by weather and climate cannot be reliably predicted. Organic matter
content is not routinely determined in southwestern soils because the levels are relatively low,
and normally change very little.

Summary
Soil analyses can provide information that is important for maximizing nutrient use
efficiency and agricultural productivity. A historical record of soil properties provided by long-
term soil testing is useful for determining the effectiveness of fertilizer management strategies
in maintaining soil fertility and sustainable agricultural productivity. Soil testing is also a useful
tool for indentifying the causes of nutrient related plant growth problems.
Soil sampling is the critical first step in a soil testing program. The second is selection of a
laboratory that will utilize analysis procedures appropriate for regional soils and conditions.
However, an understanding of the accuracy and limitations of individual procedures and of the
meaning of soil test results is essential. This publication provides information on these
components of a soil testing program. The last steps, interpreting soil analysis values and
developing a fertilizer management program, are crop specific and sometimes dependent on
additional soil and climatic properties, and are beyond the scope of this documents.
VI. Answer and Questions

1. Why farmers must conduct soil sampling in her/his farm?

Farmers must need to conduct soil sampling in his or her farm to know if the soil ph of his or
her farm are/is acidic or not. To know what plant should they planted in that place on in his or
her farm and to know what nutrients needed for plants and what nutrients does soil lack.

2. Discuss the advantage in doing soil sampling in a farm.

The advantage of doing soil sampling in a farm is to know what crops does farmer raised in the
kind of land or farm.

VII. References
https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1412.pdf

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