Many organization told that 4 samples, another 08 samples.....like that every agency have their on number during soil testing. My question is that Ideally, how many soil samples should take from one hectare during soil testing.
Ideally 5 samples. Accuracy will be increased with increase in number of samples.
You know, the number of soil samples from one hectare may depend on the landscape characteristics (plain, slope) and also on the next cultivated crop. I am sure the number should be different when next crop is wheat or some kinds of vegetable for example. And another number of samples should be taken from orchards.
Sorry, to define the ideally number of soil samples from one hectare is to complicated. That is my opinion
Dr Dotaniya; I have attached a title of a Canadian Manual that contains standard protocols. It may contain what you need. Best regards, Jim Des Lauriers
Soil Sampling and Methods of Analysis
Second Edition
Edited by
M.R. Carter E.G. Gregorich
You can get it by searching Google Scholar or do a RG search
Sir as far as i know it mainly depends on irrigated or non non irrigated land. we may take 1 sample from 10 ha in case of non irrigated and 4 samples from 10 ha land in case of irrigated. and yes of-course the cropping pattern, and the topography matters . but generally things like this does not change within a particular area like a village or gram panchayat. In govt. soil test scheme they prefer this.
Dr Dotaniya,
Sampling should be done on grids situated at a distance of 325x325 meter for rainfed agriculture. I am agreed with opinion of Dr Arpita.
Higher the number of soil samples = Higher accuracy in results
It is depends on the heterogeneity in field. It can be observed by seeing the crop performance. Generally, we used to decide at least 7 sampling points from one hactare area in case if not too much variability in field.
All responses have their own logic and merit. There is no ideal number for sampling from any given area. It depends on variability/heterogeneity w.r.t. soil physico-chemical characters, relief and purpsoe.
Taking soil sample from any soil depends on the characteristics of a particular soil as well as topography of the area. Now when we go for soil sampling in a normal soil with plain topography 0.5 acre area is considered as an ideal sample. Thus, one hectare area can be divided in four equal parts. If the soil is problematic and samples to be collected to identify some specific problem then number of samples can be increased.
I never read about adject no. of sampling in particular area..but right it is depend on the heterogeneity of that area...and agree with Mr Sumedh that if you take large no. of samples you got more clear results of sampling area.
- Generally 10 samples we need to take per acre if the area is heterogeneous. But if u take more number of samples more accurate results will come. Generally samples we take based on the area whether it is homogenous or heterogenous. If homogenous less samples required if heterogenous more samples required.
I have a question..
Could i reducing number of samples through "pooling" many samples from different sites ?
So, in the end i will have one sample representative for very large area..
Sir, it is completely depend on the soil surface profile characters.
The number of soil samples to take depends on the nature of the field. If the one hectare field is homogenous (or uniform) in terms of slope, soil type, drainage, and crop planted, then 10 randomly taken samples will be enough to be mixed into one sample called "composite sample". If it is not homogenous, then more samples will be necessary.
Its depends upon the heterogeneity in soil and also with respect to analysis of parameter, for example for soil physical properties and fertility number of sample may be less for physical properties where as for soil fertility more number of samples are required. So the practical knowledge on identification of sampling site is also required for assessing the optimum sampling in the particular field.
We need to take one composite sample and it is essential that soil must me uniform in texture, colour, depth and structure
it depends upon homogeneity of soil. There is no any hard and fast rule.
suppose if soil on site is homogeneous showing same properties within the area of 100m^2 to 200m^2, so 5 to 10 tests will be enough for 10 hectares.
Ideally 5 samples. Accuracy will be increased with increase in number of samples.
As told by Victor B Asio the number of soil samples in an area depends on the nature of the field.
Soil sampling area can be divided into number of sampling units based on the external and internal features of the soil (soil colour, surface texture, slope, erosion, natural vegetation and type of crops grown etc). With in the sampling unit, the place or site for sampling can be selected based on the rule (Site should not be near the field bund, under the tree, near the manure pit, near the irrigation channel, cropped area, plant affected by pest and diseases etc). This may comes around 10 site in a sampling area. If the area is having same slope, colour, texture, erosion etc. then one composite sampling unit with 10 sampling site is enough. Soil samples taken from a sampling unit is called representative samples which can be pooled, mixed, cleaned, air dried and packed for testing.
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