Reliability of volumetric sampling as compared to weighed samples in quantitative soil test interpretations

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Weight variability of volumetric soil test samples taken with the standard 4.25 cm3 Urbana Laboratories’ soil scoop was studied as a factor influencing soil test accuracy. Also examined was effect of degree of sample pulverization on volume—weight, differences among technicians, and volume‐weight differences between dry and moist samples. The results revealed that volumetric sampling of Maine soils can lead to major errors, particularly when quick tests are used to quantify lime requirement, extractable H, exchangeable cations, CEC, and percent base saturation. Good predictions of these properties from quick soil test results, however, are possible when samples are weighed. In the Maine Laboratory poor quantitative results from volumetric samples originated from wide variations in volume‐weight among soils. This variability was traced to degree of aggregation, which in turn was traceable to differences in texture and organic matter among samples. Technician differences were not an important source of volume‐weight variability. Volume‐weights were much lower with moist than with dried soil, but volume‐weight variability among soils was less when sampled moist.