METHODS OF ASSESSING

SOILAga C.

PentecostesBSED 2F1

Method A way of doing something

Assessing

Soil To make a judgment about

(something)

The top layer of the Earth`s crust

Layers of the Soil

Soil quality can be sensed… from the way soil feels

from how soil smells

from how soil looks

Soil Analysis a valuable tool for agricultural

production. It has served as the basis for

improved fertilization as well as adoption of many other production practices by farmers.

Laboratory Services Division

committed in many ways to give emphasis on importance of sufficiently broad support to farming communities.

Selection of Fields Paired farms using conventional

and organic agricultural practices should be selected with similar environmental characteristics.

Soil Sampling Sampling time

should be either in Springtime, whenever soil is not too wet and not too dry, or in Autumn prior to subsequent tillage operations.

Soil cores should be… divided into the three depth

increments and placed into separate sampling bags (1-gallon zip locks)that are marked with the location, date, and type of management.

Samples should be kept in a refrigerator until ready for shipment to the designated receiving laboratory.

Samples should be shipped as soon as possible after sampling.

Laboratory Analyses Samples will receive

documentation at the receiving laboratory to create metadata describing the environmental, field, long-term history, and recent management conditions.

Soil and Water Chemical Analysis

Many farmers cultivate their farms without ever testing their soil. They are fortunate if their soil is not deficient or toxic in nutrients, neither too acid nor too alkaline.

a soil test is the best starting point for putting things right and keen growers have their soil tested routinely each year.

Soil and Water Chemical Analysis

Professional soil testing is the most accurate for macro and micronutrients and this is conducted in a soils laboratory like the Bureau of Soils and Water Management.

Soil Physical Analysis Soil samples from the field are

analyzed according to texture, structure, permeability, bulk density and water retention.

Soil Test Kit (STK) The STK is an inexpensive, quick,

handy and easy to use as soil testing tool. Results are obtained within an hour. It is therefore useful to farmers and extension workers to determine on the spot what kind and amount of fertilizer to use to a grown crop in a given farm.

The STK determines the pH, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium.

It is a qualitative type of testing and through color comparison, the deficiency or sufficiency of the element can be assessed.

PENTECOSTES, Aga C.BSED 2F1