A RAPID, LOW-COST METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF SOIL BULK-DENSITY

Proper characterization of soil bulk density is essential for an accurate interpretation of chemical and microbiological parameters in the field. Reluctance to report soil analyses on a volumetric basis is usually related to requirements of additional time and specialized equipment for determination of soil bulk density. A rapid method was developed utilizing a low-cost hand sampler (< $125) for determination of soil bulk density over several intervals to a depth of 300 mm. The method appears accurate, using 5 cores/experimental unit, and enables collection of up to 10 profiles in the same time required for taking 1 profile by the Uhland sampling techniques. The method is very precise and coefficients of variation over a range of tillage-management practices, which include inherent soil variability, averaged below 5%. Soil samples collected with this method can also be used for other chemical and microbiological analyses.