Reproducibility of Soil Test Values Obtained by Different Field Sampling Techniques

Leggett, G.E. and Westermann, D.T. and Painter, C.G. (1978) Reproducibility of Soil Test Values Obtained by Different Field Sampling Techniques. pp. 153-160. In: Proc. 29th NW Fert. Conf. USA-OR-Beaverton, 1978/07/11-13.

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Abstract

Single-core soil samples were taken on a grid-pattern in nine fields in
southern Idaho. Soil tests for sodium bicarbonate-soluble P and K, and
DTPA-extractable Zn indicated wide variability of these elements in most
fields. Analyses of composite samples taken from the same areas by two
other persons and the single-core averages for each field agreed closely.
The single-core average values and the values obtained from composite samples,
while highly reproducible, were not reliable indicators for predicting fertilizer
needs of the fields because areas testing low within the fields were
not delineated. An initial intensive sampling, in which single-core samples
are taken on a grid pattern and analyzed separately, is needed to determine
the fertility variability of a field. Once the variability is established,
areas may be selected to monitor soil test changes with time and cropping.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
NWISRL Publication Number:	0431
Subjects:	Soil Research methodology Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:57
Last Modified:	31 Jan 2017 20:42
Item ID:	1014
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/1014