As a student of forest engineer major, researches and practical experiences are the important matters. Fortunately I have had a lot of opportunities to participate in relevant projects, which study about forest. In particular, the commercial forest, which was my previous subject of article, account for a huge part of my study. Today, I would like to introduce another project regarding soil study I joined in Itatinga city in Brazil.

To decide what soil is available for plant is depending on what element that we can extract from soil. A soil analysis is about determination of available organic carbon in soil.

Why do we need soil Analysis?

- It tell us what nutrition is available in soil

- Fertilizer or water can be used efficiently.

- It enables to predict the essential nutrition value of crop product.

- Fertility status of soil can be evaluated.

- Minimize the environment effect from soil alteration

So, how can we take the good sample from soil?

- Identify soil site.

-Clean the place where the sample will be collected.

-Put the spade into soil and then standing opposite side followed by sticking into soil again.

- After remove soil, make the V shape, which should be 0-6" or 0-9" or 0-12"

- Take out soil slice from exposed pit from top to bottom and put it in a polyethylene bucket.

- Collect the slice from 10 to 30 sites in a zigzag manner except local problem soil.

To find the right area for planting pine tree!

The pine tree needs the spacious area with no small plants and no roots system nearby. In addition to that, the area where it could have direct sunlight will be proper. A mix of sand and loam is the best combination for pine trees. Also, selecting area to have well-draining soil is important. If you cannot find, you may need to install drainage.

What is soil organic matter?

Organic matter in soil covers the whole mineral fraction of soil and products such as decayed plant, animal tissues and soil humus. It also consists of living and dead microbial tissues, microbially synthesized compound and derivatives from microbial decay. The soil organic matter has play an important role in decision of soil fertility and physical conditions. Furthermore organic matter in soil has an impact on soil aggregation, nutrient reserve and its availability, moisture retention, and biological activity. 

We went Itatinga city to collect the soil 6 am and stayed there until 6pm. While spading into soil, I found various insects under the ground. In particular when I discover the centipede, which named after "100 legs", I was very surprised. The centipede has flat and segment body containing a pair of legs per segment. Usually, they have a brown and reddish orange color. It was winter so that it got dark so early. We also worried that there might be jaguar due to staying in the middle of forest. After coming back from the forest, we used a sieve to filter soil in order to divide them in size. We put the collective sample soil in machine to analyze the soil consistence, mineral type, availability of soil.  

Source :ARMRITA