Soil sampling large areas : agricultural crops, pastures, parks or athletic turf

2013-01

              Soil Sampling Large Areas: Agricultural Crops,
Pastures, Parks or
Athletic Turf
North Carolina
Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services
Steve Troxler, Commissioner of Agriculture
Agronomic Division
Colleen M. Hudak-Wise, Director
www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/
(919) 733-2655
Mailing Address
1040 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1040
Physical Address [DHL, FedEx, UPS]
4300 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh NC 27607-6465
Agronomic Sampling
Folder No. 2
revised January 2013
The goal of soil sampling a large area is to collect a sample that provides good representation for the entire area. These guidelines may help.
Before sampling a large area, it is a good idea to make a detailed map. Copies of aerial photographs from soil surveys may be helpful. Divide the map into individual sample areas of 20 acres or less. Each unique area should ideally have similar soil type, planting history and management history.
Assign a short, permanent sample identifier to each unique area using appropriate FARM ID and SAMPLE ID designations that will help you remember the location. Keep in mind that the SAMPLE ID space on the soil box is limited to five characters.
Always use clean, stainless-steel sampling equipment and a clean, plastic bucket. Brass, bronze or galvanized tools contaminate the sample with copper and/or zinc. If the sample-mixing bucket has been used for fertilizer or other chemicals, wash it thoroughly before use.
Timing of sampling
Whenever possible, sample three to six months before planting. For field crops, submitting soil samples right after harvest provides plenty of time to plan a liming and fertilization program before the busy growing season. In September and October, the laboratory workload is relatively light, and results can be returned within about two weeks.
Sample preparation and submission
Use NCDA&CS soil sample boxes, label • them completely and fill with soil to the red line.
Complete the appropriate sample information • form using permanent ink or pencil. You must list a crop or crop code in order to get lime and fertilizer recommendations. Forms are available from NCDA&CS regional agronomists, Cooperative Extension offices, the Agronomic Division office in Raleigh and online at www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/forms.htm.
Package the sample appropriately. Do not • tape the soil sample box or put soil in a plastic bag. If sending several sample boxes through the mail, pack them carefully in a sturdy container, and mail them to the address given on the back of this publication. Detailed packaging instructions are available at www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/pdffiles/packsoil.pdf.
The soil test report
As soon as analysis is complete, soil reports are posted online. Visit the Agronomic Division website www.ncagr.gov/agronomi, and click the link labelled “Find Your Report (PALS)” located in the left-column navigation bar. Reports remain online for about three fiscal years, and data can be downloaded into a spreadsheet.
If you have questions about sampling procedure or need help interpreting a report, consult your NCDA&CS regional agronomist or other agricultural advisor. Additional information about soil tests and their interpretation is also available online at www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/uyrst.htm.
For more information on
sampling, interpreting agronomic reports or
implementing recommendations,
contact your NCDA&CS regional agronomist
or other agricultural advisor. The laboratory has its greatest workload from November through March due to the thousands of agricultural samples received at this time. Turn-around time can be six weeks or more. Anyone who can schedule their sampling at another time of year is urged to do so.
Problem samples should be taken from around actively growing plants whenever growth or plant discoloration occurs. To make sure these samples receive priority treatment when they arrive at the laboratory, label the outside of the shipping containers prominently with the words PROBLEM SAMPLES.
Frequency of sampling
For coastal plain soils, collect samples every two years or test one-half of your land every year. Sandy soils lose nutrients and become acidic more quickly than the fine-textured clay soils found in piedmont and mountain regions. In these two regions, collect samples every three years or test one-third of your land every year.
Depth of sampling
For cultivated crops, sample the plow layer, usually six to eight inches (Figure 1). Before establishing new lawns, pastures, orchards or other large no-till or minimum-tillage areas, sample to a depth of six to eight inches. For established no-till or minimum tillage areas, take cores to a depth of four inches.
Traditional sampling strategy
When a 5- to 15-acre field of similar soil type will be limed and fertilized uniformly, collect a soil sample of 15 to 20 cores using a zigzag pattern (Figure 2A). This approach will help ensure that overall field conditions and variability are taken into account. It is best to divide fields greater than 15 acres into smaller units (about 5 acres) until variability is known.
In any sampling, avoid small areas that differ markedly from the rest of the field—wet spots, severely eroded areas, old building sites, fence rows, spoil banks, burn row areas, old woodpile or fire sites and fertilizer application bands. Such samples can bias evaluations of a field’s nutrient-supplying capacity.
Intensive sampling strategy
Over recent years, use of global positioning systems (GPS) has become increasingly used to document soil variability. This approach to soil testing is often coupled with variable nutrient application to match soil test needs. Information about precision sampling may be found at www.soil.ncsu.edu/publications/Soilfacts/AG-439-36/AG-439-36.pdf.
Grid sampling is a type of precision sampling whereby samples are collected in a field that has been overlaid with grids typically 2.5 acres in size. Within a grid, cores may be collected randomly (cell sampling) or at a certain distance from the center of the grid (point sampling).
Directed sampling is another technique that is also used to observe soil variability and fine-tune nutrient application. Sample areas are delineated using various spatial data (yield data, electrical conductivity, elevation, etc.). Samples are usually taken randomly within a zone. Directed sampling may be referred to as zone sampling (Figure 2B).
Figure 1. Proper sampling depth depends on tillage practices for the area sampled.
Figure 2. Sampling strategies. A) Use a zigzag pattern to collect cores randomly from a field with uniform soil. B) Subdivide fields that have distinct zones (soil type, cropping history, etc.) if it is feasible to lime and fertilize each area separately.
4 inches deep
Pasture, Turf,
& Minimum
Tillage
Cultivated Crops
6 to 8 inches deep
A
B

Rating
Title	Soil sampling large areas : agricultural crops, pastures, parks or athletic turf
Other Title	Agricultural crops, pastures, parks or athletic turf
Contributor	North Carolina. Agronomic Division.
Date	2013-01
Subjects	Soils--North Carolina--Analysis Soils--North Carolina--Testing
Place	North Carolina, United States
Description	Rev. January 2013.
Publisher	N.C. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Agronomic Division
Agency-Current	North Carolina Agronomic Services Division, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Rights	State Document see http://digital.ncdcr.gov/u?/p249901coll22,63754
Requirements for Use	System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader; current access available via PURL.
Physical Characteristics	2 p. of electronic text : digital, PDF file.
Collection	North Carolina State Documents Collection. State Library of North Carolina
Type	Text
Language	English
Format	Informational pamphlets
Digital Characteristics-A	448 KB; 2 p.
Series	Agronomic sampling folder; no. 2; Agronomic sampling folder ; no. 2.
Digital Collection	North Carolina Digital State Documents Collection
Digital Format	application/pdf
Related Items	http://worldcat.org/oclc/827239613/viewonline
Audience	All
Pres File Name-M	pubs_soilsamplinglarge201301.pdf
Pres Local File Path-M	\Preservation_content\StatePubs\pubs_borndigital\images_master\
Full Text	Soil Sampling Large Areas: Agricultural Crops, Pastures, Parks or Athletic Turf North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Steve Troxler, Commissioner of Agriculture Agronomic Division Colleen M. Hudak-Wise, Director www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/ (919) 733-2655 Mailing Address 1040 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC 27699-1040 Physical Address [DHL, FedEx, UPS] 4300 Reedy Creek Road Raleigh NC 27607-6465 Agronomic Sampling Folder No. 2 revised January 2013 The goal of soil sampling a large area is to collect a sample that provides good representation for the entire area. These guidelines may help. Before sampling a large area, it is a good idea to make a detailed map. Copies of aerial photographs from soil surveys may be helpful. Divide the map into individual sample areas of 20 acres or less. Each unique area should ideally have similar soil type, planting history and management history. Assign a short, permanent sample identifier to each unique area using appropriate FARM ID and SAMPLE ID designations that will help you remember the location. Keep in mind that the SAMPLE ID space on the soil box is limited to five characters. Always use clean, stainless-steel sampling equipment and a clean, plastic bucket. Brass, bronze or galvanized tools contaminate the sample with copper and/or zinc. If the sample-mixing bucket has been used for fertilizer or other chemicals, wash it thoroughly before use. Timing of sampling Whenever possible, sample three to six months before planting. For field crops, submitting soil samples right after harvest provides plenty of time to plan a liming and fertilization program before the busy growing season. In September and October, the laboratory workload is relatively light, and results can be returned within about two weeks. Sample preparation and submission Use NCDA&CS soil sample boxes, label • them completely and fill with soil to the red line. Complete the appropriate sample information • form using permanent ink or pencil. You must list a crop or crop code in order to get lime and fertilizer recommendations. Forms are available from NCDA&CS regional agronomists, Cooperative Extension offices, the Agronomic Division office in Raleigh and online at www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/forms.htm. Package the sample appropriately. Do not • tape the soil sample box or put soil in a plastic bag. If sending several sample boxes through the mail, pack them carefully in a sturdy container, and mail them to the address given on the back of this publication. Detailed packaging instructions are available at www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/pdffiles/packsoil.pdf. The soil test report As soon as analysis is complete, soil reports are posted online. Visit the Agronomic Division website www.ncagr.gov/agronomi, and click the link labelled “Find Your Report (PALS)” located in the left-column navigation bar. Reports remain online for about three fiscal years, and data can be downloaded into a spreadsheet. If you have questions about sampling procedure or need help interpreting a report, consult your NCDA&CS regional agronomist or other agricultural advisor. Additional information about soil tests and their interpretation is also available online at www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/uyrst.htm. For more information on sampling, interpreting agronomic reports or implementing recommendations, contact your NCDA&CS regional agronomist or other agricultural advisor. The laboratory has its greatest workload from November through March due to the thousands of agricultural samples received at this time. Turn-around time can be six weeks or more. Anyone who can schedule their sampling at another time of year is urged to do so. Problem samples should be taken from around actively growing plants whenever growth or plant discoloration occurs. To make sure these samples receive priority treatment when they arrive at the laboratory, label the outside of the shipping containers prominently with the words PROBLEM SAMPLES. Frequency of sampling For coastal plain soils, collect samples every two years or test one-half of your land every year. Sandy soils lose nutrients and become acidic more quickly than the fine-textured clay soils found in piedmont and mountain regions. In these two regions, collect samples every three years or test one-third of your land every year. Depth of sampling For cultivated crops, sample the plow layer, usually six to eight inches (Figure 1). Before establishing new lawns, pastures, orchards or other large no-till or minimum-tillage areas, sample to a depth of six to eight inches. For established no-till or minimum tillage areas, take cores to a depth of four inches. Traditional sampling strategy When a 5- to 15-acre field of similar soil type will be limed and fertilized uniformly, collect a soil sample of 15 to 20 cores using a zigzag pattern (Figure 2A). This approach will help ensure that overall field conditions and variability are taken into account. It is best to divide fields greater than 15 acres into smaller units (about 5 acres) until variability is known. In any sampling, avoid small areas that differ markedly from the rest of the field—wet spots, severely eroded areas, old building sites, fence rows, spoil banks, burn row areas, old woodpile or fire sites and fertilizer application bands. Such samples can bias evaluations of a field’s nutrient-supplying capacity. Intensive sampling strategy Over recent years, use of global positioning systems (GPS) has become increasingly used to document soil variability. This approach to soil testing is often coupled with variable nutrient application to match soil test needs. Information about precision sampling may be found at www.soil.ncsu.edu/publications/Soilfacts/AG-439-36/AG-439-36.pdf. Grid sampling is a type of precision sampling whereby samples are collected in a field that has been overlaid with grids typically 2.5 acres in size. Within a grid, cores may be collected randomly (cell sampling) or at a certain distance from the center of the grid (point sampling). Directed sampling is another technique that is also used to observe soil variability and fine-tune nutrient application. Sample areas are delineated using various spatial data (yield data, electrical conductivity, elevation, etc.). Samples are usually taken randomly within a zone. Directed sampling may be referred to as zone sampling (Figure 2B). Figure 1. Proper sampling depth depends on tillage practices for the area sampled. Figure 2. Sampling strategies. A) Use a zigzag pattern to collect cores randomly from a field with uniform soil. B) Subdivide fields that have distinct zones (soil type, cropping history, etc.) if it is feasible to lime and fertilize each area separately. 4 inches deep Pasture, Turf, & Minimum Tillage Cultivated Crops 6 to 8 inches deep A B
OCLC number	827239613

Soil sampling large areas : agricultural crops, pastures, parks or athletic turf

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