Soil Sampling Grid Size Analysis

             
            Goessel High School  
             
Project Title              
  Soil Sampling Grid Size Analysis
 
             
Investigator 1       Investigator 2      
  Goessel USD 411
100 E Main
Goessel, KS 67053
Don Dailey		   Goessel USD 411
100 E Main
Goessel, KS 67053                               Justin Schrag
   
   
   
Phone       Phone      
  (620)367-2319       (620)367-2319    
Email       Email      
  daileyd@usd411.org     schragj@usd411.org  
             
Statement of Problem            
               
We would like to see if we can get by with soil sampling on a 5 acre grid and get the same averages as a 2 acre grid, for N, P, and pH, for increased cost effectiveness and efficiency.  With this in mind, we think soil sampling on a 5 acre grid will give us the same or close to the same soil analysis data as a smaller sampling grid.
             
Project Objectives            
               
To determine the best and most efficient sampling grid size for our resources. We will compare averages from different sampling grids of 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 acres, to see how consistent they are.
             
Methodology              
               
Using Ag Leader GPS, we will take soil samples from a 20 acre, conventionally tilled, field 1 mile from Goessel, on 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 acre grids, making sure not to take any points from the same exact location. We will take those samples back to the lab and test them in house, for N, P, and pH, as well as sending half of them to an off site lab for verification. Using Ag Leader SMS we will put these numbers into the computer and create maps. We will take the averages and compare them. If the averages are within a range of 0.5 or less, we will continue to use the larger sampling grid for further testing. We selected this small field because of the volume of the sampling to be done in the lab.  An important process in this test is the production work performed by students.  One of our senior students will supervise the collection work and soil analysis of samples.  He will also complete data inputs and map generations of the results.  In this process, students learn by performance and example.
             
Expected outcome / Benefit to KARA          
We expect that as the sample size becomes larger we will get less consistent results, but there may be enough consistency that we can use a larger grid to sample. We expect the 5 acre grid results to fall within our parameters. This would allow for increased management with less input costs.