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Soil Variability—A Serious Problem in Soil‐Site Studies in the Northeast
Author(s) -
Mader Donald L.
Publication year - 1963
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1963.03615995002700060040x
Subject(s) - silt , soil science , cation exchange capacity , soil water , horizon , environmental science , bulk density , soil organic matter , soil test , organic matter , hydrology (agriculture) , geology , mathematics , chemistry , geomorphology , geotechnical engineering , geometry , organic chemistry
The degree of variability and its effect on accuracy of mean plot values for soil properties is an important problem needing evaluation for soil‐site studies in the Northeast. This paper discusses the variability in soils sampled in a red pine plantation site study. Two profiles were sampled by horizon on each plot. Data are presented on the following soil properties: organic matter, N, silt and clay, exchangeable Ca plus Mg, cation‐exchange capacity, and bulk density. Variability between plots was much greater than within plots. Some soil properties required a large number of samples for accurate estimation, others a small number. Variation did not differ greatly from A to B horizons.