Possibility of different soil sampling techniques with automated soil sampler

Abstract

Obtaining soil samples over a small spaced grid for a field permits analyzing the soil with sufficient frequency and accuracy to provide information about fertilizers and pesticides to be applied in specific areas. For this need, an automated soil sampler was designed and built. The sampler is a trailed machine designed for automatic on‐the‐go sampling and packaging from a cultivated field. It contains a sampling mechanism, sample packer, packed sample collector, trace marker, control and alert system. The sample can be taken from locations spaced 15 and more meters. In manual regime it is possible to pick up samples in determined spots and around the field. In automated regime, one can collect soil samples along a swath or on grid bases in the field and in diagonal directions as predetermined. Packaging in separate plastic compartments of a connecting web gives wide flexibility for their subsequent physical processing (i.e. wet or dry sample preparation, combining several samples, etc.) and especially statistical processing of obtained soil analysis results. Calculations with the application of theory of probability show that the equal amount of soil samples from the determined area of the field on grid bases is more representative than any other sampling pattern. Using a grid sampling system it is also possible to make an assessment of any segment of the field with a higher probability. With this information about correlation among soil samples in both direction, it is possible to determine an improved and less costly pattern for future sampling.

Notes

The Belorussian Agri‐tech University, Belarus, 220004, Minsk, Opanskogo St. 5–40.