SOIL SAMPLING WITH NEW SOIL SAMPLING PROBE

Abstract: Conventional soil sampling usually considers sample weight of 2 kg per 4-5 ha area, which means that representative sample in relation to soil mass up to 30 cm depth, is presented through the ratio 1:10,000,000. In order to increase the volume of sampled soil and thus to increase the accuracy of sampling, we have designed new circular soil probe apparatus that can take 16 soil samples in one run (PCT/HR2011/000021 Rotary Soil Sampling Assembly). Samples are distributed in a 50 cm radius from the center of the probe. After sampling all 16 samples are mixed and homogenized in one composite sample, which is used for chemical soil analyses. We have tested new soil sampling probe at the field of 84 ha. Sampling was performed with grid sampling at intersections in a grid of 50 x 50 m. Results of soil pH and plant available phosphorus are based on 330 soil samples and they provide sound basis for recommendations for variable liming and phosphorus fertilization rates. Results were processed with ordinary kriging