Wayne Boshart of the Mississippi State Extensive Service and Interim County Director for Leake County says soil samples are essential for maximum production.
“You have to know what nutrients are needed,” he said. Soil samples will, among other things, determine pH.
“And pH is vital because plants can’t take up nutrients if the pH is not balanced.”
Boshart advises that samples should be taken to a minimum of 6 inches deep.
“Take several samples per plot in a zigzag pattern, particularly at elevation changes,” said Boshart.
He suggests perhaps as many as 15 to 20 per plot.
“Take all samples from a specific field and mix them in a container,” he said. “After mixing, place one pint of the mixed sample in a container for shipping to a lab.”
Local County Agent offices will provide boxes for the samples and will assist in getting these to the correct institution for analysis.
“And be sure to label each sample so that you will know the exact field that produced each sample,” he notes. “The county agent will help you to interpret the results after these are returned from the samples.”
While a shovel or spade can be used to gather samples, the best tool is a soil probe. This simple rig assures consistency in gathering the soil. All 82 counties of the state have an Extension Service office, and most if not all these have a soil probe that can be borrowed.
As of this writing, samples sent through the county agent offices cost $6 per sample.
This article is part of the Acid trips feature in the June issue of Mississippi Sportsman, which is now on newsstands. Digital editions also can be downloaded right to your computer or smartphone.
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