Test & ID - Sampling Guidelines

How to collect and send in your samples and specimens.

The sample or specimen must be received in good condition to be suitable for analysis. It must be well labeled with the sender’s name and it must represent the bulk. When sending in a sample or specimen please follow these general guidelines.

1. Samples of soil for chemical analysis

(a) It is important that the sample sent should be representative of the area concerned. It should therefore consist of a number of sub-samples taken over the whole area. If the area is not uniform with regard to turf growth, more than one representative sample may be needed, e.g. one collected from the good part and one from the bad part.

(b) Hollow tine cores are a suitable source of sub-samples. From 50 - 60 cores should be obtained from various points at random and mixed together to form one sample. The sampling depth should be between 75 mm and 100 mm.

(c) For large areas, such as playing fields or unsown land, hollow tine cores can be extracted or samples obtained by trowel. Sub-samples should be extracted in a zigzag pattern along the length of the playing field.

(d) When sampling a heap of topsoil, sub-samples should be obtained from within the heap as well as from the surface.

(e) The amount of material sent for analysis should be about 0.5 kg per sample. If a much larger sample is obtained then it should be well mixed on a clean surface and sub-sample sent.

2. Samples of soil, sand and top dressing for physical analysis

Collecting and sending samples for physical analysis should follow the procedure outlined for chemical analysis, i.e. 1(a)-(d). The amount of soil or top dressing sent for mechanical analysis should be about 1.0 kg. The amount of sand or top dressing sent for particle size and lime testing should be about 1.0 kg. For lime testing only the amount required is 0.1 kg.

For determination of hydraulic conductivity, the required amounts of material are as follows:-

- Soil - 5.0 kg

- Sand - 7.0 kg

- Peat - 1.5 kg

If a much larger amount is obtained than specified above, e.g. when sampling with a trowel or spade, the material should be well mixed on a clean surface and a sub-sample of the mix sent in. If the sample is very wet or stony, send a suitable extra amount to cover for loss of weight due to drying and/or stone removal.

3. Packing and labeling of samples for chemical and physical analysis

Each representative sample should be securely packed in a strong plastic bag or other water-resistant container and clearly labelled on the outside using a strong tie-on or stick-on label. Ordinary ink should not be used for marking the labels. All samples should then be placed in a container strong enough to withstand any possible damage during transit. Finally, a covering letter should be included stating the name of the sender and giving details such as previous history and particular advice on which information is sought.

4. Water samples for chemical analysis

Approximately 500 ml of water should be obtained in a clean, plastic bottle. For samples obtained from a stagnant source, such as a pond, a sample should be taken from near the surface and at depth. The bottle(s) should be labelled clearly and sent with a covering letter giving details of the water source and the purpose for which it is to be used.

5. Samples for disease examination

If a disease problem is suspected on an area of turf, it is necessary to obtain a representative sample of the turf from an affected area and an unaffected turf sample from an adjacent area for analysis. The turf samples must be packaged in such a way that the turf symptoms are not masked by contamination with soil and sent as quickly as possible to the laboratory to prevent decay of the turf in transit. Samples sent for analysis should be taken before any fungicide has been applied to the turf, otherwise it is generally impossible to diagnose the disease-causing fungus.

Hollow tine cores are not suitable for identifying turfgrass diseases. Samples should be at least hole-cutter sized but the depth of the sample does not need to exceed 50 mm. The samples should be wrapped carefully in newspaper and tightly packed into a box to reduce movement of the samples whilst in the post and reduce the likelihood of sward contamination with rootzone material. Plastic bags will encourage the turf to sweat and speed up natural decay of the turf. A note of identification should be firmly attached to each sample so that there is no confusion over where the sample has been taken from. Notes placed inside the packaging with the sample will become damp and any writing may be lost.

A letter should always accompany the sample and the information should include the following:

- Golf course/club name and address.

- Contact name (Head Greenkeeper/Groundsman).

- Telephone number/fax number.

- Details of recent applications made to the turf.

- Description of the symptoms; when the problem first occurred, how it appeared initially, how the symptoms have changed with time.

6. Weeds

A piece of turf about 100 mm square by 50 – 75 mm thick is usually suitable. Where possible flowers and/or fruits should be included.

7. Insect pests

If found in turf they should be sent with a piece of turf or at least packed in damp moss. Samples sent in loose match boxes are frequently useless.