Things to remember while taking a soil’s sample

12/03/2021Posted on
Things to remember while taking a soil's sample
  • Do not take samples from the land under the tree, from the meds or the low places, where there is a pile of manure, or where water gets collected.
  • For soil testing, take the sample in such a way that it represents the entire field, at least 500 grams of the sample must be taken. 
  • Remove organic materials such as crop residue, dry leaves, stalks and grasses etc. from the top surface of the soil and choose samples from 8-10 different locations according to the area of the field.
  • Soil sampling should be done from the depth at which the root crop is taken.
  • Soil samples should be collected in a clean bucket or tagari etc.
  • Make sure to label the sample precisely.
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Importance of Organic Carbon in soil testing

30/04/2020Posted on
Importance of Organic Carbon in soil testing
  • It forms humus by organic matter dissection and synthesis reactions in the soil, which improves soil health and maintains soil fertility.
  • The physical and chemical quality of the soil increases with its excess in the soil. The physical quality of the soil like soil structure, water-holding power, etc. is increased by organic carbon.
  • Organic carbon is also very useful for the transfer and conversion of nutrients and for the growth of microorganisms.
  • It also prevents the leaching of nutrients.
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Importance of soil pH and Electrical Conductivity (EC) in soil testing

28/04/2020Posted on

pH value of soil

  • It shows the reaction of soil, whether the soil is normal, acidic, or alkaline in nature. Decreasing or increasing soil pH affects the growth of plants.
  • Suitable varieties of crops are recommended in problematic areas. Which has the ability to tolerate acidification and alkalinity?
  • Nutrients are most commonly received by plants between values 6.5 to 7.5. soil pH. When the value is less than 6.5 the land is acidic and if it is more than 7.5 the land is alkaline.
  • Recommendation to add lime for acidic land and gypsum for alkaline soil.

Electrical conductivity

  • Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is an indirect measurement that has a very deep correlation with the physical and chemical properties of soil. Soil electrical conductivity is an indication of the availability of nutrients in the soil.
  • The greater concentration of salts in the soil leaves a detrimental effect on the absorption of nutrients.
  • Very low electrical conductivity levels indicate low available nutrients, and very high EC levels indicate nutrient excess. Those with low EC are often found in sandy soils with low organic matter levels, while high EC levels are found in high organic soil content (more clay).
  • Soil texture, salinity, and moisture are the soil properties that most affect EC levels.
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Process of taking sample for soil testing

23/03/2020Posted on
  • For soil testing, the sample should be taken in such a way that it represents the complete area or field. At least 500 grams of the sample must be taken for soil testing. 
  • Remove organic materials such as twigs, dry leaves, stalks and grasses etc. from the top surface of the soil, and choose samples from 8-10 locations according to the area of the field.
  • At selected locations, make a V-shaped hole of around 10-15 cm in shallow root crops and 25-30 cm depth for deep root crops.
  • Then cut a uniform layer of soil of about one-inch thickness and collect it.
  • Similarly, take samples from other parts of farms too. Now mix this samples of soil and divide it into four parts.
  • Now remove two facing parts from this sample as shown in the image, and make a pile of the remaining part. Keep repeating the same process until you are left with only half kilogram of soil sample.
  • Put this soil sample in polyethene and label it. 
  • For labelling, write the name of the farmer, location of the field, date of soil sampling and the name of the previous, present crop as well as the crop you are planning to sow next.

Please watch this video for more information about soil sampling –

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What information could be obtained by soil testing?

23/03/2020Posted on

The following facts can be determined from soil testing –

  • Soil PH
  • Electronic conductivity (Concentrations of salts)
  • Organic Carbon 
  • Available Nitrogen 
  • Available Phosphorus 
  • Available Potash 
  • Available Calcium 
  • Available Zinc
  • Available Boron 
  • Available Sulphur 
  • Available Iron 
  • Available Manganese
  • Available Copper  

By knowing the number of nutrients available in the soil, we can adjust the quantity of fertilizers accordingly. This would increase the productivity of the crop and reduce the cost of cultivation.

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Importance of Soil testing in farming

15/03/2020Posted on

Soil testing is very necessary for increasing production of any crop. It helps in – 

  • Determining the exact amount of chemical fertilizers used in crops.
  • In identifying the correct way of improving the alkalic and acidic land and making it fertile.
  • To determine the compatibility of the land for cultivation.
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Objectives of Soil testing

17/02/2018Posted on

Objectives of Soil testing:-

  • To determine the exact amount of chemical fertilizers used in crops.
  • To know the correct way of improving the alkalic and acidic land and making it fertile.
  • To determine the compatibility of the land for cultivation.

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