Soil Science Laboratory

Exercise # 1
SOIL SAMPLING FOR CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL ANALYSES
Introduction
Soil testing is the most important practice to manage fertilizer application and crop production. Without soil
testing, it is very difficult to ensure the right application of fertilizers for the crop and yet the optimum yield.
Soil testing program starts with the collection of soil samples from the field. The first basic principle of the soil
test is that a field must be sampled in such a way that chemical analysis of the collected sample will accurately
reflect the nutrient status of the field. This does not mean that all the samples must yield the same result but
rather the results must reflect the true variations within the field to obtain an adequate evaluation of its
nutrient level.
Objectives:
At the end of the exercise, the students should able to:
1. Identify and describe sampling lots by their differences in land forms,
2. Collect a representative soil sample following the prescribed procedures,
3. Know the precautions that should be followed to make the sampling procedures easier
and more accurate.
4. Determine the acidity, salinity and alkalinity problems.
Materials:
1. Containers
2. Sampling tools
3. Marking Pen
4. Seiver
Methods:
A. Make a sketch showing the location/topography of the farm. Identify the land use including the boundaries.
Draw this in your worksheet.
B. Obtaining a Representative Sample
1. Divide your farm into sampling areas. Group together areas showing uniformity in texture, color, crop
grown, source of water, and topography.
2. Take 10-30 subsamples from each sampling area at an interval of 15-20 steps.
3. At the sampling spot, follow these steps by using a spade or shovel:
a.) Cut the weeds close to the ground but do not scrape the surface soil
b.) Clean and remove any stone before taking the sample
c.) Draw a V-shape hole on the top to secure a slice on one side
d.) Get the sample from the middle of the slice. The slice should be as uniform as possible and should have a
dimension of 1x1x6. This is now your subsample
e.) Put the subsample directly into a clean container, preferably a plastic pail
f.) Mix subsamples thoroughly. Avoid contamination with sweat.
Processing the Collected Samples
a. Obtaining a composite sample.
Spread the subsamples in a clean newspaper on a table or a drying board. Divide the soil into four. Take one
part and discard the other three parts. Further, divide the remaining one part into four retaining one part and
throwing away the other three parts until approximately one kilogram of soil is left. This process is known as
quartering. The soil left after this process is the composite sample.
b. Air Drying.
The composite sample should be allowed to dry under a safe, well-ventilated free contamination area due to
rain, animals, and human beings. Do not dry the sample under the sun. Spread evenly the composite sample
on a clean plastic sheet or used newspaper under the shed for air drying within a week, depending on the
moisture content of the soil sample.
c. Pulverizing.
As soon as the sample is air-dried, pulverize the soil with the use of a clean mortar and pestle if available.
Otherwise, pulverize the soil with hard wood, wooden or rubberized mallet, or a clean bottle.
d. Sieving.
Remove foreign materials like roots, stones, and other non-soil particles. Separate pulverized soil with a 20
mesh sieve (scree with 20 holes/square inch).
e. Packaging and Labeling.
As soon as the sample is sieved, put the soil sample into a plastic or sando bag/paper bag. Place the necessary
label on top of the sample soil and tie the plastic bag or sando bag. The following information should be
placed in the label:
a. Name of the Group
b. Location of the area
c. Area represented in hectares
d. Topography
e. Crop grown or to be grown
f. Soil analysis desired
References:
Questions:
1. What are the objectives of the Soil testing?
- To determine the nutrient status of the soil.
- To determine the acidity, salinity, and alkalinity of the soil.
- To guide the application of fertilizers and other soil amendments.
- To help farmers optimize crop production and yield.
- To monitor the effectiveness of soil management practices.
2. Enumerate the precautions in soil sampling/handling.

- Avoid contamination from sweat, rain, animals, or other foreign materials.
- Use clean tools and containers for sampling.
- Collect samples from representative areas of the field.
- Ensure proper labeling of samples with all relevant information.
- Handle samples carefully to prevent loss or damage.
3. When should soil sampling be done?

- Soil sampling is ideally done before planting or at the end of the growing season.
- The best time to sample depends on the specific crop and the type of analysis required.
- It is recommended to sample soil at least once a year to monitor changes in soil properties.
4. State the principal sources of variability in soil chemical analysis.
- Natural Variation: Soil properties can vary naturally due to factors like soil type, topography, and climate.
- Management Practices: Different farming practices, such as fertilization, irrigation, and tillage, can influence
soil properties.
- Sampling Error: Inaccurate sampling techniques can lead to variability in results.
- Analytical Error: Errors in laboratory analysis can also contribute to variability.
5. What does the pH of your soil indicate as far as nutrient availability is concerned?
- Soil pH is a measure of its acidity or alkalinity.
- The pH of soil affects the availability of nutrients to plants.
- Most plants prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0), but some plants have specific pH requirements.
For example:
- Acidic soils (pH below 6.0): Can lead to increased availability of aluminum and manganese, which can be
toxic to plants.
- Alkaline soils (pH above 7.0): Can reduce the availability of essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and
manganese.
Laboratory Exercise No. 1
SOIL SAMPLING FOR CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL ANALYSES

Group 4
Group Members:
1. Amor Tocao
2. Mohaina Dres
3. Shaira Akmad
4. Mohaimine Asim
5. RoseAmina Guiwan
6. Nasria sultan
7. Nadzmie Abidin
8. Norhani Nanding
9. Armida Titay
10. Jibreen Eto
Section: BSA-AGEXT-1
Subject: SS 111 (1119)
Instructor: Ma'am Analiza Macacua

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Exercise # 1

SOIL SAMPLING FOR CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL ANALYSES

B. Obtaining a Representative Sample

3. At the sampling spot, follow these steps by using a spade or shovel:

f.) Mix subsamples thoroughly. Avoid contamination with sweat.

Processing the Collected Samples

a. Obtaining a composite sample.

e. Packaging and Labeling.

2. Enumerate the precautions in soil sampling/handling.

3. When should soil sampling be done?

4. State the principal sources of variability in soil chemical analysis.

- Sampling Error: Inaccurate sampling techniques can lead to variability in results.

- Analytical Error: Errors in laboratory analysis can also contribute to variability.

- Soil pH is a measure of its acidity or alkalinity.

- The pH of soil affects the availability of nutrients to plants.

SOIL SAMPLING FOR CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL ANALYSES

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