Studies in the variation of soil reaction. I. Field variations at Barooga, NSW

Abstract

A study has been made of the variability of soil reaction, in the field, on Barooga Field Station, N.S.W., and on portion of a nearby property. Soil samples were taken at two depths, 0-4 in. and 4-8 in., at 4-chain intervals according to a rectangular grid. Other samples were taken at ½-chain intervals on restricted areas, and at 1-foot intervals on grids 4 feet by 3 feet. Differences of more than 3 pH units have been found for samples taken in one continuous area of a single soil type, and differences in excess of 2.5 pH units for individual samples taken 4 chains apart. The differences between individual samples at distances of ½ chain and 1 foot were found to be as large as 1.2-2.0 pH units and 0.6-1.1 pH units respectively. The standard deviation of the differences between adjacent points was considerably smaller in the samples spaced at 1-foot intervals.