Whats the best time to take soil samples?
The time of sampling should be during a rain-free period and as follows: • Immediately after (over-) irrigation has been applied to completely wet the root zone and surface water has infiltrated into the root zone. Note: Samples taken at this time will enable estimates of Saturation Water Content. • Immediately after surface water has infiltrated from the soil surface. This may be one to three days after irrigation for sandy and clayey soils respectively. If the drainage rate is low (clayey soils) then it would be better to carry out sampling when EvapoTranspiration is at a known low rate. Note: These samples should estimate the water content at Field Capacity. • About three days after sample number two and when EvapoTranspiration has been at a high and uniform rate, e.g. 6mm/day. Note: These samples should estimate the lower limit of Readily Available Water. • About two days after sample number three and when EvapoTranspiration has been at a high and uniform rate, e.g. 6mm/day. Note:
