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C.O.R.N Newsletter 2009-33
     September 29, 2009 - October 5, 2009


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Soil Sampling This Fall
by Keith Diedrick, David Henry, Robert Mullen

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Once the crops are off for the year, it seems like we’re preparing for the next season already. If you don’t have a soil sample from a reputable lab in the last three years, it may be time to check up on your field’s nutrient contents.
First of all, try and take soil samples at about the same time of year, either in fall following the harvest or in the spring before applying any fertilizer, lime, or manure. Soil samples shouldn’t be taken while the crop is growing (with the exception of PSNT, or presidedress nitrate test).
When soil sampling, do use clean probes and buckets. We are not sampling a great amount of soil to represent the field, so a few contaminants in a probe or bucket can make a big difference when the analysis is done. Move residue off of the surface of the soil where the soil probe will be used. For conventionally-tilled fields, 8 inches is the depth to sample. In no-tillage fields, take a separate set of samples at 4 inches depth, as well as the 8 inch samples, to make a more precise assessment of soil pH (which tends to stratify, that is, show more acidity in the top couple of inches in no-tillage fields that use ammonia fertilizers), and thus lime recommendations. Take about 20 soil cores per 25 acres, mix thoroughly for a uniform sample.
Ohio State University does not run a soil testing laboratory; a list of labs can be found here: http://agcrops.osu.edu/tools/testlabs.pdf
Once you have a report and work on a plan for inputs, interpretation help can be found in the Ohio Agronomy Guide: http://ohioline.osu.edu/b472/0004.html. Depending on the lab, soil test values may be in either parts per million (ppm) or pounds per acre (lb/ac). To convert ppm into lb/ac, multiply ppm by 2 (since there are 2 million pounds of soil in an acre furrow slice).

Readers can subscribe electronically to this newsletter by signing up at http://agcrops.osu.edu/services/email.html. E-mail labarge.1@osu.edu if you have problems subscribing or no longer wish to receive this newsletter.

C.O.R.N. is a summary of crop observations, related information, and appropriate recommendations for Ohio Crop Producers and Industry. C.O.R.N. is produced by the Ohio State University Extension Agronomy Team, State Specialists at The Ohio State University and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. C.O.R.N. Questions are directed to State Specialists, Extension Associates, and Agents associated with Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center at The Ohio State University.


Information presented above and where trade names are used, they are supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made to produce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions.

All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, Ohio State University Extension.

TDD # 1 (800) 589-8292 (Ohio only) or (614) 292-1868

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