Portable Soil Coring System that Minimizes Plot Disturbance

Abstract

AbstractReliable sampling of belowground components is an essential aspect of agro‐ecosystems research. Nevertheless, small plot size, limited access, and remote locations can severely restrict such efforts. To overcome these constraints a light weight, field portable soil coring system was designed. The two‐part unit causes virtually no plot disturbance and, in repeated field tests, performed efficiently and reliably. Soil cores greater than 1 m in length and 38 mm in diameter can be taken. The unit uses a pneumatic driver, an electric core extractor, and steel core tubes with clear plastic liners. As many as 24 cores per hour can be collected with this system. The coring system has been found to be ideal for small size plots or where study areas are enclosed.