Chapter outline, Soil Sampling

Soil Sampling Chapter (MEM 4^th edition)          Proposed Title: Soil Sampling for Microbial Analyses

Author: John Brooks (PhD)

               Genetics and Precision Agriculture Unit

              USDA-ARS, Mississippi State University, MS 39762

               Phone: (662) 320-7411

              E-mail: john.brooks@ars.usda.gov

Proposed Topics:

I.                 Introduction to soils

II.               Soil Sampling scheme

a.      Gridded vs random, etc. Table or figure with typical sampling schemes and pros/cons of each, situations to use each, and odd plot/treatment configurations.  Sample schedule times for ecological vs pathogen studies are very different. Sampling in a forage vs food crop (e.g. spinach) vs row crop (e.g. cotton) situation.

b.      Statistics

III.              Soil Sampling Tools and Equipment

a.      Types of tools, pictures, sterilization, preparation, etc.

IV.              Soil Sample Processing: Bacteria, Viruses, & Parasites

a.      Process for each organism type. 

b.      Pathogens vs Microbial Ecology – sampling may be depth dependent, or only surface if looking at pathogens. Overly moist samples vs dry, drying vs processing moist.  Storage

V.               Soil Samples for Molecular Analyses

a.      Amounts needed, storage, difficulties in processing, etc.

 

VI.              Special Situations: Sampling when other disciplines are involved – how do you approach these situations

a.      Briefly, how do you handle samples meant for chemical, agronomic, and other soil analyses in addition to microbial analysis.

b.      Drainage ditches, multiple treatments crossing a plot, banding manure, liquid injection, surface application, etc.

 

VII.            Case Study: Soil sample situation – Present a typical and atypical soil sampling situation with a decision tree figure