DOC NO : AGR-SOP03-00

STANDARD OPERATING REV : 00

PROCEDURE DATE : Jan 2009
PAGE : 1 of 3
SOIL SAMPLING AGRONOMY OPERATION

1. OBJECTIVE
The objectives of the document are:
a) To sample and analyze the physical and chemical soil properties in each block
for use when determining management procedures and fertilizer requirements;
b) To provide the foundation for grouping blocks according to soil types, land class
and soil fertility status.

2. SCOPE
This SOP applies to all soil sampling activities in the TSH estates’.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES
It is the responsibility of the Estate Manager/Senior Estate Manager to ensure the
procedures on soil sampling are meticulously adhered.

4. REFERENCE

Leaf Sampling AGR-SOP02-00

5. DEFINATION

LSU – Leaf Sampling Unit

gm – gram
cm – centimetre

The entire SOP is TSH control documentation. Photocopy is strictly prohibited.

 DOC NO : AGR-SOP03-00
STANDARD OPERATING REV : 00
PROCEDURE DATE : Jan 2009
PAGE : 2 of 3
SOIL SAMPLING AGRONOMY OPERATION

6. PROCEDURES

6.1 Standards
6.1.1 Soil sample results test results are used together with the results of
leaf analysis to prepare fertilizer recommendations;
6.1.2 A land class (based on soil type) is attributed to each block;
6.1.3 Data for soil pH, organic C, total N, available P, exchangeable K,
Mg and Ca for the soil beneath non-fertilizer application area and
fertilizer application area in 0-15cm depth must be available for
each block;
6.1.4 Collect soil samples at least 60 days after the most recent fertilizer
application;
6.1.5 Soil sample should NOT be taken during very dry or very wet
intervals;
6.1.6 Soil sampling are carried out once during the immature phase and
every five years thereafter.

6.2 Sampling
6.2.1 Soil samples are taken using an auger at each LSU point;
6.2.2 Two samples (of 500gm) are taken at each LSU palm at the 0–15
cm depth, from non-fertilizer application area and fertilizer
application area;
6.2.3 These two samples are kept separate so that the nutritional status of
each area can be compared;
6.2.4 Samples from each area are then bulked to produce two composite
samples for each block;
6.2.5 The soil samples are air-dried and two representative 200 gm sub-
samples are taken from each bulk sample;
6.2.6 The samples are sealed in clearly marked plastic bags and
dispatched promptly;
6.2.7 One sample is sent for analysis to a reputable laboratory and the
other set is stored as a backup and for future reference in a cool,
dry place;
6.2.8 Soil samples are packed in plastic sample bags with a waterproof
label showing the estate name, block number and date of sampling.
The label is sealed inside the bag so that each bag always has a
label attached.

The entire SOP is TSH control documentation. Photocopy is strictly prohibited.

 DOC NO : AGR-SOP03-00
STANDARD OPERATING REV : 00
PROCEDURE DATE : Jan 2009
PAGE : 3 of 3
SOIL SAMPLING AGRONOMY OPERATION

7. ATTACHMENTS:

7.1 : Form
Appendix A- Soil Sampling Form

7.2 : Plate
7.2.1 Soil Auger – Single Edelman Auger

The entire SOP is TSH control documentation. Photocopy is strictly prohibited.