LaMotte AST Series Professional Soil Test Outfits - Manual (Page 10)

SOIL SAMPLING PROCEDURES
Detailed soil sampling procedures are described in the LaMotte Soil
Handbook (Code 1504) and in Improving Soil Sampling Accuracy (Code
36150).
The following procedure is recommended for sampling greenhouse soils.
1.
Collect soil before watering.
2. Remove any mulch covering the soil. Use a soil sampling tube or
spoon to take a sample from the entire plant rooting surface, top to
bottom. Take 8 to 10 samples from the area.
3. Thoroughly mix the individual samples to form a composite sample.
Spread the mixed composite sample on a sheet of paper or plastic to
dry.
NOTE: A composite sample insures representative test results.
4. Sift the dried sample through a 10 mesh wire screen or 2 mm sieve.
Collect the soil. Discard particulate which remains on top of screen.
HOW TO USE A FUNNEL AND FILTER PAPER
A funnel and filter paper are used in the preparation of soil filtrate and
plant tissue extracts, and to filter the soil extract for the Phosphorus in
Alkaline Soils, Chloride, and Humus procedures.
1.
Fold a piece of filter paper (0465) in half. Fold in half again.
2. With pointed end at the bottom, gently push corners together to
form a cone.
NOTE: There should be three layers on one side of the opening
and one layer on the opposite side.
3. Place in funnel (0459). Place funnel in container for collecting
filtrate.
4. Pour liquid through the funnel and filter paper to filter solution.
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