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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 48(4)

Influence of sample depth on extractable nutrient concentrations, pH and the phosphorus buffering index of pasture soils in south-eastern Australia

J. R. Coad A C , L. L. Burkitt A and C. J. P. Gourley B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, University of Tasmania, PO Box 3523, Burnie, Tas. 7320, Australia.

B Department of Primary Industries, 1301 Hazeldean Rd, Ellinbank, Vic. 3821, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: Jessica.Coad@utas.edu.au

Australian Journal of Soil Research 48(4) 355-360 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR09104
Submitted: 5 June 2009  Accepted: 13 January 2010   Published: 16 June 2010

Abstract

Pasture soils of mainland Australia are routinely sampled to a depth of 100 mm, whereas pasture soils of Tasmania and New Zealand are sampled to a depth of 75 mm. Despite this difference, there are no published studies to allow accurate conversion between the 2 sampling depths. This study was undertaken to examine the effect of soil sample depth (75 and 100 mm) on soil nutrient analyses: Olsen phosphorus (P), Colwell P, Colwell potassium (K), KCl40 sulfur (S), pH (H2O and CaCl2), and P buffering index (PBI+ColP). Our findings suggest that on most soil types, Olsen P, Colwell P, and Colwell K soil test results could use a generic factor of 1.17 when converting between 75 and 100 mm samples. More detailed equations including direct or indirect measures of soil texture and P sorption capacity were also determined. We found there was no significant difference in P and K concentrations between the different depths in soils which had very low P sorption capacities, high sand contents, and were located in high rainfall zones. Additionally, soil sampling depth generally had no effect on extractable S concentrations, pH, or PBI+ColP, and therefore no conversion is recommended for these soil tests for any soil type.

Additional keywords: soil sampling depth, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, pH, PBI+ColP, nutrient stratification.


Acknowledgments

We thank John and Joan Van Loon, Paul and Bernadette Bennett, Tim Bennett and family, David Riddoch and Jason Hall, Nick Smith and Claudia Greene, and staff at TIAR Dairy Research Facility (especially Lesley Irvine) for allowing us to have experimental sites on their properties. The core project was funded by Dairy Australia, Impact Fertilisers Australia Proprietary Limited, and Incitec Pivot Limited. Thanks also to Dr Richard Rawnsley and Dr Ross Corkery for statistical assistance, as well as Dr Leigh Sparrow for input into the manuscript.


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