Your eyes on the ground!
SOIL-WATER SAMPLER
What is a soil Water Sampler?
It is a simple device with which we can pump out of the plant roots zone a sample of soil solution. The soil water consists of most of the dissolved nutrients, as well as salt that may accumulate, or be missing, in the soil. The user can analyze the sampled water content throughout the growing period.
The Soil Water Sampler consists of the following parts:
• a body made of a PVC pipe, with different optional lengths.
• A porous ceramic tip at the low edge.
• A rubber stopper on top with a plastic tube running through the body and inserted in the ceramic cap.
• A small, 3 way plastic valve connected to the tube at one side, and to a plastic syringe at the other side, with a free outlet to collect the water.
Operation Principles:
• The cermic tip is inserted, in a place and depth where the plant roots are mostly active.
• By pulling the plastic syringe a vacuum power is created within the device. We "trap" the vacuum inside by switching the 3 way valve to the right position.
• Within a few hours (about 4-8) the soil solution is sucked into the sampler and then we can pump the fluid into the syringe, and from there to container, from which the farmer can analyze the water or send it to a lab.
When shall we activate the device?
It is Generally recommended to activate the soil water sampler soon after watering, when the soil is in Field Capacity. The saturation process may take a short or long time depending on a few factors, such as the sampled depth or type of soil. It is useful to consult a local agronomist. A few hours after activation we may return to the device and pump out the sampled water.
What are the popular chemical tests we do?
Principally we can send the sample to any lab for any test. However, there are a number of useful tests we can run on site with simple, inexpensive testing kits or electronic testers, such as Chlorides, NO3, NO2, pH, EC, etc.
Evaluation of the testing results:
Different factors should be considered for different crops, plant growth stages or different soil structures. Different plants have different sensitivity for nutrients supply or salinity rate.
It is always useful to consult experts about the results.
However, by taking routine tests one can follow up important changes along the growth period, such as Salinity build-up, Nutrient shortage/excess, resulting for in proper watering or weather changes.
Improvement of Irrigation or Fertigation application will help us to save precious inputs, improve yields and maximize profits.
Technical specifications:
• PVC pipe: 20 mm in diameter, standard lengths: 20/30/40/60/ 90 cm.)
The standard pipe is straight and, optionally, we offer a 900 angular pipe, for use in shallow media.
• Replaceable ceramic cap: 2 optional lengths: 6 cm.(standard) or 12 cm., mostly used for sandy soil or soilless media.
• A rubber stopper on top with a 4 mm tube inserted through.
• Plastic syringe of 100cc.