SSMG-38 (D.E. Clay, N.R. Kitchen, C.G. Carlson, J.L. Kleinjan, and W.A. Tjentland)

Collecting Representative Soil Samples for Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizer Recommendations

Summary:

Soil fertilizer recommendations in modern crop production rely on laboratory analysis of representative soil samples. Regardless of where the samples were collected (grid points, management zones, or whole fields) the accuracy and precision of the fertilizer recommendation can be improved by considering the factors that influence nutrient variability in the design of the sampling protocol. As each producer’s crop production enterprise varies, it is recommended that producers select approaches that are suited for their operation. The objectives of this guide are to discuss how management influences nutrient variability and to provide insight into how to design soil sampling protocols that provide good fertilizer recommendations.

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