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Soil Sampling Procedures

Davie Kadyampakeni, Kelly Morgan, Arnold Schumann, and Rhuanito S. Ferrarezi
Figure 1. Take each soil core at 8 inches deep at the dripline.
Figure 1.  Take each soil core at 8 inches deep at the dripline.
Credit: T. R. Weeks, UF/IFAS

 

Figure 2. Thoroughly mix the 15–20 core samples in a nonmetal bucket.
Figure 2.  Thoroughly mix the 15–20 core samples in a nonmetal bucket.
Credit: T. R. Weeks, UF/IFAS

 

Figure 3. Place subsample in bag.
Figure 3.  Place subsample in bag.
Credit: T. R. Weeks, UF/IFAS

 

Figure 4. Soil sample ready to be sent to laboratory.
Figure 4.  Soil sample ready to be sent to laboratory.
Credit: T. R. Weeks, UF/IFAS

 

Goal

  • Standard procedures for sampling, preparing, and analyzing soil should be followed for meaningful interpretations of the test results and accurate recommendations.

Timing

  • In Florida, soil samples should be collected once per year at the end of the summer rainy season and before fall fertilization (August to October) or when a fertilization program is about to start.
  • The accuracy of soil test interpretations (Table 1) depends on how well the soil sample represents the grove block or management unit in question.
Figure 5. Soil samples are taken at the dripline or near the wetted area of microjet.
Figure 5.  Soil samples are taken at the dripline or near the wetted area of microjet.
Credit: T. R. Weeks, UF/IFAS

 

Technique

  • Each soil sample should consist of one soil core taken about 8 inches deep at the dripline or near the wetted area of the microjet. Repeat for 15 to 20 trees within the area wetted by the irrigation system in the zone of maximum root activity and add them to a plastic bucket.
  • Sampled areas should be representative of grove blocks where samples were collected. The area should contain similar soil types with trees of uniform size and vigor.
  • Thoroughly mix the 15 to 20 cores in a nonmetal bucket to form a composite sample. Take a subsample from this mixture and place about 200 to 400 mL (6 to 12 fl oz, depending on the laboratory) into a labeled plastic bag. If nitrogen forms such as ammonium or nitrate will be analyzed, keep the samples frozen until analysis to avoid loss of ammonia.

Preparation for Analysis and Interpretation

  • Soil samples should be air-dried before shipping to the laboratory for analysis.
  • The basic soil-analysis package run by most agricultural laboratories includes soil pH and extractable P, K, Ca, Mg, and micronutrients.
  • Because extractable nutrients are measured, the magnitude of soil-test values may differ between different laboratories, but this difference is not a concern as long as the extraction method is calibrated for citrus.
  • The laboratory interprets each soil test result as very low, low, medium, high, or very high and may also provide fertilizer recommendations accordingly. Citrus growers can independently interpret the numerical results according to UF/IFAS guidelines based on the extractant used (Tables 1 and 2). Do not follow interpretations from other sources and regions.
  • The interpretations should be used to make management decisions regarding soil pH adjustment or fertilizer application (Table 2).

Interpreting Results

Table 1. 

Soil test interpretations for other extraction methods.

Extractant

Nutrient

Soil test interpretation

Very Low

Low

Medium

High

Very High

  

(Less than sufficient)

(Sufficient)

Mehlich 31

P

mg/kg (ppm)2

< 11

11–16

17–29

30–56

> 56

Ammonium acetate pH 4.8

= 11

> 11

Bray P1

= 40

> 40

Bray P2

= 65

> 65

   

Low

Medium

High

 

Mehlich 3

Mg

mg/kg (ppm)

 

< 25

25–33

> 33

 

Ammonium acetate pH 4.8

 

< 14

14–26

> 26

 
      
 

Less than sufficient

Sufficient

Ammonium acetate pH 7.0

= 50

> 50

  

Less than sufficient

Sufficient

Mehlich 3

Ca

mg/kg (ppm)

= 200

> 200

Ammonium acetate pH 4.8

= 270

> 270

Ammonium acetate pH 7.0

= 250

> 250

 

Table 2. 

Adjusting a citrus fertilizer program based on soil analysis.

Property or nutrient

What if it is below the sufficiency value in the soil? Options:

What if it is above the sufficiency value in the soil? Options:

Soil pH2

1. Lime to pH 6.0.

1. Do nothing.

2. Use acid-forming N fertilizer.

3. Apply elemental sulfur.

4. Change rootstocks.

Organic matter1

1. Do nothing (live with it).

2. Apply organic material.

1. Do nothing.

P

1. Check leaf P status.

2. Apply P fertilizer if leaf P is below optimum (see Chapter 8)3.

1. Do nothing.

K

1. Apply K fertilizer (see Chapter 8)3.

1. Lower K fertilizer rate.

Ca

1. Check soil pH and adjust if needed.

2. Check leaf Ca status.

1. Do nothing.

2. Check leaf K and Mg status

Mg

1. Check soil pH and adjust with dolomitic lime if needed.

2. Check leaf Mg status.

1. Do nothing.

Cu

1. Do nothing.

1. Lime to pH 6.5.

1 There is no established sufficiency value for soil organic matter.

2 The sufficiency value for soil pH is 6.0.

3 Obreza, T. A., K. T. Morgan, L. G. Albrigo, and B. J. Boman. 2008. "Recommended Fertilizer Rates and Timing."

In Nutrition of Florida Citrus Trees, edited by T. A. Obreza and K. T. Morgan. SL253. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

 
Peer Reviewed

Publication #SL454

Release Date:February 24, 2020

Reviewed At:March 3, 2023

Related Experts

Schumann, Arnold W.

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

Ferrarezi, Rhuanito S.

University of Florida

Kadyampakeni, Davie M.

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

Morgan, Kelly T.

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

Fact Sheet

About this Publication

This document is SL454, one of a series of the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date February 2020. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Davie Kadyampakeni, assistant professor, Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center; Kelly Morgan, professor, Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, and center director, UF/IFAS Southwest Florida REC; Arnold Schumann, professor, Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, UF/IFAS Citrus REC; and Rhuanito S. Ferrarezi, assistant professor, Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Indian River REC; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Contacts

  • Davie Kadyampakeni