A review of soil sampling for chemical analysis

Abstract

A review of soil sampling for chemical analysis is presented for farm paddocks, orchard blocks and experimental plots with relevance to Australian and New Zealand conditions. Basic principles concerning field variability and its determination, sampling equipment, sample handling and sampling techniques are given. Detailed examination of both published and unpublished data on spatial and temporal variation in cultivated and uncultivated soils is also provided. Deficiencies and conflicts in the database are highlighted and provide a basis for future work.