An inadequate soil sampling time leads to difficulties in interpreting soil tests, to incorrect recommendations for soil amendments and fertilizers, and to inappropriate environmental protection restrictions. Soil samples may be collected from agricultural fields before, during, or after the crop growth period. Since the time of soil sample collection can affect soil tests results, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sampling time on measurements representativity of 15 fertility indicators in two fields located in La Pocatière (Québec, Canada). The soils were of fine (G1) and medium (G2) textural groups and were sampled weekly for 33 weeks per year during four years. Data analyses included descriptive statistics, time-series decomposition, and time autocorrelation function (ACF). Since results of these analyses showed a clear seasonal effect only for Mehlich-3 extracted phosphorus (PM3), soil phosphorus saturation index (SPS) for both G1 and G2 soils, and for pHW for G1 only, we recommend that the sampling calendar should be restricted to the first five weeks of spring (until the end of May) and to the entire fall period (starting in early September). Also, the temporal autocorrelation was four weeks on average. This implies that, for an initial year, whichever date is chosen for the sampling, the following annual sampling should be done within a four-week time window (i.e., two weeks before until two weeks after the initial sampling date). Time series are an important element to consider in selecting a representative sampling period for soil fertility indicators.
How to translate text using browser tools
2 November 2021
Temporal variability of soil fertility indicators and sampling periods in Québec
Hakima Chelabi,
Lotfi Khiari,
Jacques Gallichand
Canadian Journal of Soil Science
Vol. 102 • No. 2
June 2022
Vol. 102 • No. 2
June 2022
analyse du sol
représentativité de l'échantillon de sol
saison d'échantillonnage
sampling season
soil sample representativity
soil test
temporal variability