Period 1

Soil Sampling

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LHAP 105 Soil and Water Presentation Soil and Water

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Slide 1 LHAP 105 Soil and Water Soil Sampling Slide 2 Soil Sampling Used to determine nutrient levels in the soil Also for pH, CEC, EC, trace elements, OM, texture assist in diagnosing problems of pH or salt buildup Slide 3 Timing - Before establishing a long term crop (fall is best) minimum: every 3-5 years (with established schedule) Before fertilizers are applied (recently applied fertilizers can affect results) Problem soils anytime Slide 4 Soil Sampling A small amount of soil is used to determine properties throughout a much larger area Consider variations in soil texture, colour, depth, slope, erosion, drainage Slide 5 Soil Sampling Take separate samples for areas that are significantly different from the rest of the field Consider taking samples from areas that get more or less traffic – they might warrant a different approach Slide 6 Soil Sampling Number of samples For lawns – sample at least 10 sites Depth Consider the crop and how deep its roots go, AND what you want to know For lawns use 10 - 15 cm (4 – 6 inches) for whole profile. for vegetables, perennial beds 15-30 cm (6-12 inches) more deep rooted plants 30-60cm (12-24 inches ) Slide 7 The Paperwork Slide 8 Equipment Use a soil probe or soil auger Can use a trowel or garden spade Most consistent samples with a soil probe Use a clean bucket to collect and mix the samples Keep samples from different depths separate Slide 9 Soil Sampling Slide 10 Handling Remove thatch and any live plant material Air dry or keep in cooler Dry within 24 hours Record keeping Keep a map of your layout Show sampling sites, unusual features Keep records of soil test results plus any applications and results in performance Slide 11 Procedure Slide 12 The Results: Box 1 includes the sample information and timing so you can see if there was a delay from receipt to result. Slide 13 The Results: Box 2 provides optimals against the results… pH is low. Organic matter is low. nutrient availability ok except? Why? Slide 14 this soil is at 5.6 pH. Deficiencies can be expected. Slide 15 The Results A visual graph is typically provided as well for quick interpretation and comparison. Slide 16 Reading a Soil Sample Review - What methods do we have at our disposal for: changing pH up or down? adding nutrients to soil? getting a reliable nitrogen test? *Make sure that your management plan quote includes a second test to check your results* Slide 17 Brookside Laboratories Case Study: Innisfail Ball Diamonds - non irrigated site Brookside is a private lab owned by consultants… their results assume knowledge of target levels, whereas Spectrum analytics provides feedback of optimal levels for crops. Slide 18 Brookside Laboratories Case Study: Innisfail Ball Diamonds - saturated soil analysis

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Slide 1

LHAP 105

Soil and Water

Soil Sampling

Speaker Notes

Soil tests – will give some indication as to which essential nutrients are lacking; how much you will need to apply to the turf as fertilizer
When tissue tests show deficient levels of any nutrient, the following causes may be
possible.
1. Insufficient amount of available nutrient in soil. The chemical characteristics of
soil may reduce availability of nutrients.
2. The nutrient is positionally unavailable. It is not near the root.
3. Underdeveloped or damaged root system which may be due to cool, wet, dry, or
compacted soil.
4. Plant stress conditions that limit the metabolism and flow of fluids in the plant.

Slide 2

Soil Sampling

Used to determine nutrient levels in the soil

Also for pH, CEC, EC, trace elements, OM, texture

assist in diagnosing problems of pH or salt buildup

Speaker Notes

Before applying any fertilizer, obtain a 500 g soil sample in the early spring or the autumn to check the nutrient status of the soil.
One soil test result often forms the basis of fertilizer programs for several years to come. Randomly take the sample from several areas within the upper 150 mm of the soil and mix together. A soil test sampler, available from the District Agriculturalist, is recommended.
Send the soil sample to a certified testing laboratory for analysis. Consult with your District Agriculturist or use your local phone directory to find the nearest laboratory.
The laboratory will test the soil for existing nutrients, pH or acidity level, and organic matter. The soil test result will indicate the kind and amount of fertilizer that is required for the area.

Slide 3

Timing

- Before establishing a long term crop (fall is best)

minimum: every 3-5 years (with established schedule)

Before fertilizers are applied (recently applied fertilizers can affect results)

Problem soils anytime

Speaker Notes

Changes in nitrogen and sulphur status can occur until the soil has cooled below 7 C - Early Spring or Late Fall (October) is best.

Slide 4

Soil Sampling

A small amount of soil is used to determine properties throughout a much larger area

Consider variations in soil texture, colour, depth, slope, erosion, drainage

Speaker Notes

Do not mix samples from soil different in texture, colour, differing elevations, or from disturbed and undisturbed soils
It is important to sample individual areas separately e.g. fairways versus greens because each has its own optimum soil fertility level.

Slide 5

Soil Sampling

Take separate samples for areas that are significantly different from the rest of the field

Consider taking samples from areas that get more or less traffic – they might warrant a different approach

Slide 6

Soil Sampling

Number of samples

For lawns – sample at least 10 sites

Depth

Consider the crop and how deep its roots go, AND what you want to know

For lawns use 10 - 15 cm (4 – 6 inches) for whole profile.

for vegetables, perennial beds 15-30 cm (6-12 inches)

more deep rooted plants 30-60cm (12-24 inches )

Speaker Notes

Sample a minimum of 10 samples per area using a W or M pattern.
Recommendations from OMAFRA are based on the soil samples they receive, therefore the sample must be representative on the entire area. It is valuable to take alot of samples from the area being tested to increase the accuracy and precision of the soil tests.
It is important that areas that are uncharacteristic of the general area are not sampled. Certain uncharacteristic or problem areas should be sampled separately if there is a concern
Sampling depth is important and varies according to turf use. Sample to a depth of 7.5cm (3 inches) for greens and tees and for sport fields or residential lawns sample to a depth of 10-15cm (4-6 inches).

Slide 7

The Paperwork

Slide 8

Equipment

Use a soil probe or soil auger

Can use a trowel or garden spade

Most consistent samples with a soil probe

Use a clean bucket to collect and mix the samples

Keep samples from different depths separate

Speaker Notes

There are several tools and materials that are required for soil sampling.
A soil sampling probe is used to remove columns of soil from the ground but can be substituted by a shovel or a cup changer (Figure 1).
https://www.vanwalt.com/news/2013/08/08/your-favourite-soil-auger/ - photo soil auger with soil
A clean plastic bucket is used to mix the soil samples in (Figure 2).
Finally, small plastic or lined paper bags or boxes that seal tightly are required to package the soil samples.
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/info_soiltest.htm

Slide 9

Soil Sampling

Slide 10

Handling

Remove thatch and any live plant material

Air dry or keep in cooler

Dry within 24 hours

Record keeping

Keep a map of your layout

Show sampling sites, unusual features

Keep records of soil test results plus any applications and results in performance

Speaker Notes

Place all sample cores from the given area into the plastic bucket and mix thoroughly.
Be sure to remove all rocks and large debris. Take approximately half of a litre from this representative sample and place it in one of the bags or boxes to ship to the soil lab (Figure 4 and Figure 5).
Try to avoid placing the samples in direct sunlight. Cooler is best storage.
Each sample should be clearly marked. It is preferable to number fairways, greens or sports fields. For example, for fairways number your samples 001-018 and greens 101-118.
After numbering each sample, keep a record of the numbering system and send a copy to the soil lab along with the samples.
Make a map indicating the locations where the soil samples were taken and mark down any topographical features such as rocks, slopes and knolls.

Slide 11

Procedure

Slide 12

The Results:

Box 1 includes the sample information and timing so you can see if there was a delay from receipt to result.

Slide 13

The Results:

Box 2 provides optimals against the results…

pH is low. Organic matter is low. nutrient availability ok except? Why?

Slide 14

this soil is at 5.6 pH. Deficiencies can be expected.

Slide 15

The Results

A visual graph is typically provided as well for quick interpretation and comparison.

Slide 16

Reading a Soil Sample

Review - What methods do we have at our disposal for:

changing pH up or down?

adding nutrients to soil?

getting a reliable nitrogen test?

*Make sure that your management plan quote includes a second test to check your results*

Speaker Notes

http://www.spectrumanalytic.com/support/library/ff/soil_buffer_ph.htm
Buffering pH – helps to measure how much lime to add; how easily the pH of the soil will be changes
The ratio of Ca to Mg has been suggested for diagnostic purposes on the basis that it takesinto consideration the competing effect of Mg on Ca availability (Carter et al. 1979, McLean1981).
However, experimental findings are conflicting in this respect because the Ca:Mgratio overlooks the contribution of other cations, particularly Al in acid soils and Na in sodicsoils (Bruce 1999).
So it is not precise to talk only about the Ca:Mg ratio when we discussplant nutrition because almost all cations tend to interact and compete against one anotherfor uptake by roots. For example, because K+ ion absorption by plant roots is affected by theactivities of other ions in the soil solution, some researchers prefer to use the ratiorepresented by the following equation:

Slide 17

Brookside Laboratories Case Study:

Innisfail Ball Diamonds - non irrigated site

Brookside is a private lab owned by consultants… their results assume knowledge of target levels, whereas Spectrum analytics provides feedback of optimal levels for crops.

Speaker Notes

.75 kg/100m2 = 66.9 lbs/acre

Slide 18

Brookside Laboratories Case Study:

Innisfail Ball Diamonds - saturated soil analysis

Speaker Notes

“ideal Base Saturation percentages of 68% calcium, 12% magnesium, 5% potassium, 3% trace nutrients, 2 % sodium, 10% hydrogen. The alkalinity of the soil is why our Hydrogen is showing 0%. No red flags here. “ - Jason Pick (also provided Brookside laboratory results).

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Soil Sampling

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