Sampling Techniques for Soil and Plant Tissue

The nutritional status of your crop or field can be established by laboratory analysis. Proper sampling is essential for valid results. A sample should be randomly obtained composite that represents the area to be evaluated.

Determine Area to be Sampled:

For uniform fields (or for an average of a field), samples should be taken from the entire field. Divide the area into 10 or 40 acre lots (or any appropriate size) based upon the following:

1. Soil type, texture or color
2. Topography, slope, changes in slope, cuts and fills
3. Variation in crop history
4. Plant variety, rootstock, age, harvest quality, irrigation source or leaf coloration
5. Good areas vs. poor areas

Non-uniform fields should be sampled by taking a composite sample from areas with the same characteristics.

• Soil Sampling Guide
• Tissue Sampling Guide