The effect of different soil core samplers on precision of estimating weed seedbank in soil

Abstract

The effect of different soil sampling procedures on the precision of estimating the weed seedbank in soil using three soil core samplers with a circular base of 1.3, 6.4 and 8.0 cmin diameter was studied in a model experiment. The results showed the importance of a methodological approach. The soil sampler with a larger diameter is more useful for the objective assessment of the species spectrum (detection of seeds of all weed species in the soil). Furthermore, the value of the coefficient of variation (vx) decreases along with the increasing diameter of the soil sampler. The value of vx assessed in partial samples taken with a sampler of 1.3 cm diameter was double to three times higher than for soil samplers of 6.4 and 8.0 cm. The value of vx increased in individual weed species at decreasing seed frequency in individual partial samples from 17.82 to 316.23%. The soil core with the diameter of8.0 cm on the area of1 m2 is optimal for the exact research. To estimate the weed seedbank in soil in small-plot experiments, one partial sample on the area of5 m2 is recommended. To obtain comparable results, it is necessary to take a higher number of samples at a decreasing diameter of the soil sampler. Likewise, a larger amount of samples is needed to detect less abundant species.