STANDARD OPERATING DOC NO : AGR-SOP04-03

PROCEDURE DATE : 16th April 2014

FERTILIZER SAMPLING – PAGE : 1 of 6
STRAIGHT AND COMPOUND AGRONOMY OPERATION
FERTILIZER

1. OBJECTIVE
The objectives of the document are to establish sampling procedure for straight and
compound fertilizer for laboratory nutrient content analysis.

2. SCOPE
This SOP applies to straight and compound fertilizers sampling activities in TSH
estates.

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

4. REFERENCE

NIL

5. DEFINITION

AGM – Assistant General Manager

cm – centimetre
gm – gram
GMD – Group Managing Director
kg – kilogram
mt – metric ton
SEM – Senior Estate Manager

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

 STANDARD OPERATING DOC NO : AGR-SOP04-03
PROCEDURE DATE : 16th April 2014
FERTILIZER SAMPLING – PAGE : 2 of 6
STRAIGHT AND COMPOUND AGRONOMY OPERATION
FERTILIZER

6. PROCEDURES

6.1 Standards
6.1.1 Straight or compound fertilizers received are checked for their
general appearance with attention to:
a) Physical form (Clump/Loose and Wet/Dry)
b) Presence of impurities or debris
c) Marking on the fertilizer bags
d) Weight and total weight of the fertilizer
6.1.2 One composite sample from each consignment exceeding 5 mt to
be collected for analysis;
6.1.3 Abnormalities are reported communicated by the estate SEM/AGM
to central purchasing and Agronomy Unit by email.

6.2 Sampling Equipment

6.2.1 Fertilizer Sampling Probe
a) A non-corrosive grain probe made of stainless steel of about 90
cm length and 2.0 cm diameter is used;
b) Essentially a cylindrical tubing with an opening along almost
its full length, one end there is a solid cone tip to facilitate
insertion;
c) A cross-bar handle is welded some 15 cm from other and
reinforced with a metal ring, in case a wooden hammer is
needed to drive the probe into the fertilizer bag.

6.3 Sampling of Fertilizers

6.3.1 All bags in a single consignment of the material of the same grade
and type shall constitute a lot;
6.3.2 Selected bags must be intact and in good internal condition;
6.3.3 The number of bags chosen for sampling from a lot shall depend on
the size of the lot as given in Table 7.1.1;
6.3.4 Examples of selection at equal number of bags are as follows:

Example 1
Fertilizer received per lorry load = 20 tonnes (20,000 kg)
Number of fertilizer bags = 400 bags (50 kg/bag)
Sample size for sampling (Table 1) = 25 bags
Method of selection = 400 ÷ 25
= 16
The total number of bags is 25. Hence every 16 bags, the last bag (i.e. 16 th,
32nd ……..400th bags) shall be put aside for sampling.

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

 STANDARD OPERATING DOC NO : AGR-SOP04-03
PROCEDURE DATE : 16th April 2014
FERTILIZER SAMPLING – PAGE : 3 of 6
STRAIGHT AND COMPOUND AGRONOMY OPERATION
FERTILIZER

Example 2
Fertilizer received per lorry load = 6 tonnes (6,000 kg)
Number of fertilizer bags = 120 bags (50 kg/bag)
Sample size for sampling (Table 1) = 15 bags
Method of selection = 120 ÷ 15
= 8
The total number of bags is 15. Thus for every 8 bags, the last bag (i.e. 8th,
16th ……..120th bags) are put aside for sampling.

6.4 Fertilizer Abnormalities

6.4.1 All abnormalities encounter with fertilizer delivery/to be delivered
by suppliers (i.e. underweight, late delivery and uncompiled
specification) are communicated by the estate SEM/AGM to the
central purchasing by email within 48 hours;
6.4.2 The central purchasing need to communicate the abnormalities to
suppliers by email and carbon copy the email to the respective
estate SEM/AGM within the next 24 hours;
6.4.3 Fertilizer abnormalities from all the TSH estate are compiled by the
central purchasing to negotiate the solution with the suppliers not
later than two weeks after the occurrence of the abnormalities;
6.4.4 The solution elucidation and expected date of completion of the
solution is then emailed by the central purchasing to the respective
estate SEM/AGM and Agronomy unit within the next 48 hours;
6.4.5 The central purchasing need to follow up and confirm the
completion of the solution with the respective estate SEM/AGM by
email. If the problem is not resolve the central purchasing is to
follow up the matter with the suppliers, and carbon copy the email
to the estate SEM/AGM and Agronomy unit until the completion
of the solution;
6.4.6 At end of each month the central purchasing need to compile and
report all outstanding fertilizer abnormalities with solution
elucidation and expected date of completion of the solution to the
respective estate SEM/AGM, Agronomy unit and GMD by 5th of
the subsequent month.

6.5 Sampling Procedure

6.5.1 The samples taken are representative of the whole fertilizers;
6.5.2 Only un-open bags are selected for sampling;
6.5.3 Fertilizer bags which appear to have been damaged in transit or
after delivery are avoided;

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

 STANDARD OPERATING DOC NO : AGR-SOP04-03
PROCEDURE DATE : 16th April 2014
FERTILIZER SAMPLING – PAGE : 4 of 6
STRAIGHT AND COMPOUND AGRONOMY OPERATION
FERTILIZER

6.5.4 Bags selected at random for sampling at intensities as in Table

7.1.1;
6.5.5 The bags to be sampled are laid horizontal;
6.5.6 The probe with the opening facing downwards (so that the probe is
not filled during insertion) is inserted diagonally across the bag as
Figure B (diagonal core from left corner to right corner);
6.5.7 When it is in place, rotate the probe so that the opening faces
upwards. If necessary, gently tap the top of the fertilizer bag to fill
the probe;
6.5.8 Extract the core and collect the sample in a polythene bag and
labeled accordingly;
6.5.9 All fertilizers extracted from the chosen bags by sampling probe
are combined to form a composite sample;
6.5.10 The polythene bag containing an approximately 250 gm sample is
tied securely with string, labeled and sent to chemical laboratory
for analysis. The label must specify the fertilizer type, position,
estate name, sample reference number, sample date, delivery date
and deliver note number;
6.5.11 Double polythene bags are used and enclose the label between the
layers. The sample details are not marked on the polythene bag as
it may smear;
6.5.12 The second portion of 250 gm sample retained as reserve in
another polythene bag is also labelled accordingly.

6.6 Samples For Nutrient Analysis

6.6.1 TSH estates where fertilizers consignment by suppliers are
delivered using large number of small trucks (7-8 mt load), only 1
mixed composite sample is collected from the 10 small trucks. 1
sample for every ± 75.0 mt fertilizer consignment are sent to
chemical laboratory for nutrient analysis;
6.6.2 The 10 collected composite samples from 10 trucks are mix
together evenly to get a mixed composite sample;
6.6.3 Weight approximately 250 gm sample in double polythene bags.
Put label between layers and tie securely with string and send to
chemical laboratory for analysis. The label must specify the
fertilizer type, position, estate name, sample reference number,
sample date, delivery date and deliver note number;
6.6.4 Prepare the second portion an approximately 250 gm retained in
another polythene bag as reserve, is also labelled accordingly;
6.6.5 If there any dispute, the supplier and estate will take the reserve
samples and send it to their selected laboratory for second analysis;
The entire SOP is TSH control documentation. Photocopy is strictly prohibited.
 STANDARD OPERATING DOC NO : AGR-SOP04-03
PROCEDURE DATE : 16th April 2014
FERTILIZER SAMPLING – PAGE : 5 of 6
STRAIGHT AND COMPOUND AGRONOMY OPERATION
FERTILIZER

6.6.6 The suppliers have the option to witness the sampling procedure.

6.7 Reporting Format

6.7.1 The following information are submitted together with the fertilizer
sample:

a) Estate sample number/reference

b) Fertilizer type
c) Position of sampling
d) Date of consignment
e) Size of consignment (mt)
f) Delivery order number
g) Supplier
h) Lorry registration number
6.7.2 Copies of the information’s are extended to the Purchasing
Department and Agronomy Unit.

6.8 Sample Bag Storage

6.8.1 The second portion of the sample retained in the polythene bag is
kept in the fertilizer store and only release after clearance from
Agronomy Unit;
6.8.2 The selected bags of fertilizer used for sampling are applied into
the field, together with other bags in the consignment as soon as
possible without waiting for the analytical result from chemical
laboratory to avoid caking.

6.9 Test Results

6.9.1 Nutrient analysis result must be obtained from laboratory not later
than 30 days after sample had been sent;
6.9.2 The nutrient analysis result must be sent to Agronomist
immediately after the result is obtained;
6.9.3 The comments on nutrient analysis result are given to the
respective Head of Plantation by the Agronomist not later than two
weeks after the result is obtained.

7. ATTACHMENTS:

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

 STANDARD OPERATING DOC NO : AGR-SOP04-03
PROCEDURE DATE : 16th April 2014
FERTILIZER SAMPLING – PAGE : 6 of 6
STRAIGHT AND COMPOUND AGRONOMY OPERATION
FERTILIZER

7.1 : Table
7.1.1 Scale of Sampling and Method of Selection
7.1.2 Flow Chart for Fertilizer Specification

7.2 : Figure
Figure A - Fertilizer Sampling Probe
Figure B - Position of Sampling Fertilizer Bag

7.3 : Label/Form
Appendix A - Fertilizer Sample Labels
Appendix B - Fertilizer Physical Quality
Appendix C - Cover Note for Fertilizer Analysis
Appendix D - Fertilizer Analysis Report
Appendix E - Monthly Fertilizer Abnormalities Report

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