AMRITA SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

AMRITA VISHWA VIDYAPEETHAM

ARASAMPALAYAM, COIMBATORE – 642 109.

Student READY – Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE)

19AEX401 RAWE – Village Attachment (0+14)
Kondampatty Panchayat Group

Demonstration report on soil sample collection

Submitted By:
1. J Harisankar (CB.AG.U4AGR20128)

2. Abhirami Prakash T (CB.AG.U4AGR20103)

3. Ardhra Sreekumar (CB.AG.U4AGR20113)

4. Athira Suresh (CB.AG.U4AGR20115)

5. Kashmeera S Mujeeb (CB.AG.U4AGR20131)

6. Maria M K (CB.AG.U4AGR20135)

7. Namitha Krishnan (CB.AG.U4AGR20139)

8. Reshman Majeetha (CB.AG.U4AGR20148)

9. Abernaa D (CB.AG.U4AGR20002)

10. Samiksha Sukumaran (CB.AG.U4AGR20053)

11. Devi Krishna (CB.AG.U4AGR20018)

12. A Gokul (CB.AG.U4AGR20024 )

13. Kavya J (CB.AG.U4AGR20031)

14. M Nandana (CB.AG.U4AGR20038)

15. Aleena S (CB.AG.U4AGR20010)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND COMMUNICATION

AMRITA SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
AMRITA VISHWA VIDYAPEETHAM
COIMBATORE-642 109
 Soil Sample collection
Venue:Sirukalandai Date:20/01/24

Introduction:
Soil testing is a crucial part of managing soil resources effectively. To ensure accurate results from
laboratory analysis, it's important to collect samples that truly represent the area being tested. It's
best to collect a large number of samples so that you can obtain a sample of the desired size by sub-
sampling. Generally, it's recommended to collect one sample for every two hectares of land, but at
least one sample should be taken for every five hectares.

Material Required:
Spade ,paper , pen, khurpi & carry bag

Procedure:
 We divide the field into different homogeneous units based on the visual observation and
farmer’s experience.
 Removed the surface litter at the sampling spot.
 Then made a ‘V’ shaped cut to a depth of 15 cm in the sampling spot using spade.
 Removed thick slices of soil from top to bottom of exposed face of the ‘V’ shaped cut and
placed it a clean container
 Mixed the samples thoroughly and removed foreign materials like roots, pebbles and gravels.
 Reduced the bulk to about half to one kilogram by quartering
 Transferred the sample to a clean polythene bag.
 Labeled the bag with information like name of the farmer, location , present crop, date of
collection, etc (For Soil test Labs; survey number, previous crop grown,upcoming crop required)
A separate explanation was made in order to make farmers understand about the separate procedure
to be followed in a coconut plantation with the help of chart and folder.

 soil samples should be collected from the coconut basin, 1 m away from the bole of the palm
and at two depths viz., 0‑30 cm and 30‑60 cm.
 At the sampling point, the crop residue and other un-decomposed plant tissue or foreign
material in the surface should be removed.
 A tube or screw type augur will be convenient to collect the soil samples from more than 15 cm
depth. If the tools are not available, a pit of 30 cm depth can be dug and soil samples collected.
Then dig further, for 30‑60 cm depth to collect the soil.
Followed by this student also explained about “TAMIL
MAVNVALAM” a government site where the farmer can get
the result of the soil test in there mobile itself.

Outcome and benefit:

The farmers learned about the proper methodology involved in the process of collecting soil
samples. This knowledge will enable them to collect more homogeneous samples. They also
learned about the differences in the sample collection process between coconut plantation fields and
general crop fields. Once the farmers submit their soil samples to the Government soil test lab, they
can expect to receive the results on their phone within 7-10 days through “TAMIL
MAVNVALAM”. The results will show both the deficient and excessive nutrients in the soil,
allowing the farmers to make informed decisions about fertilizer application and reduce total costs
by avoiding the use of excessive nutrient fertilizers.

Farmers Support and Feedback :

During the demonstration, a group of 30 farmers attended and actively engaged with the students in
charge. Some of the farmers had questions about the sample collection and fertilizer application
processes, which the students were able to effectively explain. The farmers found the demonstration
to be very helpful, as they were facing issues with nutritional deficiency in their coconut fields, such
as button shedding and pencil top disorder.

Method demonstration on soil sample collection at 4 different farm field:

Extension aid:
Publications:

Eveningkerala Feb 9 -2024

https://eveningkerala.com/archives/79489.

Anweshanam Feb 8-2024

https://anweshanam.com/agriculture/news/students-conduct-awareness-classes-for-farmers/cid13532347.htm.

08/02/2024 Thuranakatthu Palakad edition