Soil sampling for physical, chemical and biological analyses of the soil

Soil Sampling 

As shown in the previous picture is an example of how soil samples are taken from the field for physical and chemical analysis of soils. Some physical analyses can be performed in the field while others need to be done in the laboratory. In such picture, the soil auger is being used for taking deep soil. Soil samples can be taken from 0 to 20 Cm deep or even from more than 20 Centimeters deep. The soil depth from where the soil were taken is very important when it comes to soil fertility, fertilizers use, and plant nutrition. 

Soil Chemical Analysis in the Laboratory

In the second picture, it is shown how soils are analyzed in the laboratory for getting information about chemical parameters including but not limited to soil organic matter, soil macro-elements (magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, nitrogen, etc), soil micro-elements (iron, aluminum, zinc, copper, etc). There are several chemical parameters which are measured in the soil for ensuring that right decision about soil management can be made. You know, when a farmer needs to apply fertilizers, it advised to consider financial cost of inputs to be applied to the soil. For ensuring that the benefit can be obtained later, it is a good idea to apply soil amendments based on scientific information describing the soil status. With scientific information about the soil, better results can be waited from better soil management and crop production decisions which can be made. 

Besides physical and chemical analyses of soils, there is biological analysis which can be done for a given soil. In the field you can perform some analyses. For instance, you can check if there are some macro-organisms. You may find some insects like termites or organisms like earthworms which really have a great role in the formation of a good soil structure. Other organisms, especially micro-organisms can be analyzed in the laboratory for getting biological data on the soil. Tests like soil respiration can be done thereby giving very important information for making adequate decision in the management of the soil.

In conclusion, soils which are subjected to physico-chemical and biological analyses can be used in the right way and give an optimal yield provided that other inputs are adequately used  and other crop production and soil management practices are performed as recommended by agricultural experts, specialists, and decision makers, especially at the local level.