SITE SELECTION AND SOIL ANALYSIS

SITE SELECTION AND SOIL ANALYSIS

Soil Sampling and Soil Analysis 

The success of rice production starts with knowing the kind of soil where you are going to plant. The rice plant is nutrient sensitive; its ability to produce good harvest depends on the nutrients present in the soil. Soil sampling and analysis are important to determine the pH level and the nutrients present in the soil. The result of the soil analysis will be the basis of fertilizer application. 

 

Procedures to Follow in Soil Sampling 

1. Make a sketch of the area showing sampling areas (SA).Divide the farm into sampling areas. Each SA should be more or less uniform in cropping history, past lime and fertilizer treatments, slope, degree of erosion and soil texture and color. 

2. In each SA dig from 5 -10 pits and collect samples  corresponding to the size of the sampling area. Spot sample is taken in the following manner: 

• clear the soil surface area 

• using a shovel or spade dig a pit to a depth of 20-30 centimeters 

• from one vertical side of the pit take a slice of soil 2-3 cm thick with a single downward thrust of the spade. Using a knife or trowel trim the slice of soil on both sides to a bar of 3-4 cm width.

• place the thin bar of soil in a pail or any suitable clean container. 

• place the thin bar of soil in a pail or any suitable clean container. 

_{Take composite soil samples. After collecting the samples from the different sampling areas, they will be pulverized and mixed thoroughly in the container. Place the composite soil sample of about ½ kilogram, in a clean plastic bag. After which, it is now ready for chemical analysis, using a simple Soil Testing Kit (STK) for qualitative analysis of soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium or by running a complete chemical analysis in a soil laboratory.} 

Multiple Choice

1. There are three important factors that affect rice yield. Which of the following is not among the factors?

• Climate

• Kind of soil

• Location

• Topography