Assessment of error sources in measurements of field pH : Effect of operator experience, test kit differences, and time-of-day
- Authors: Robinson, Nathan , Norng, Sorn , Rees, David , Benke, Kurt , Davey, Michelle
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis Vol. 49, no. 3 (2018), p. 269-285
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- Description: Various methods exist to measure soil pH, and while there is general agreement between the existing published laboratory and field-based methods, the latter are subject to uncertainties including test kit reliability, accuracy, precision, and environmental factors. The contribution of this study is to quantify three uncertainties that affect the conversion between field pH and laboratory pH measurements, namely operator experience, choice of test kit, and the time-of-day for measurement. Soil samples from western Victoria, representing the pH range 4.5–10.0, were used in a randomized complete block design with 10 assessors split into two groups representing experienced and inexperienced users. Statistical analysis of laboratory and field pH was based on using the Maximum Likelihood Functional Relationship (MLFR) to determine if there was any bias between the two methods. Significant differences were found between experienced and inexperienced users, and between test kits. © 2017 Taylor & Francis.
Improving the information content in soil pH maps: a case study
- Authors: Robinson, Nathan , Benke, Kurt , Norng, Sorn , Kitching, Matt , Crawford, Deborah
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: European Journal of Soil Science Vol. 68, no. 5 (2017), p. 592-604
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- Description: Uncertainties associated with legacy data contribute to the spatial uncertainty of predictions for soil properties such as pH. Examples of potential sources of error in maps of soil pH include temporal variation and changes in land use over time. Prediction of soil pH can be improved with a linear mixed model (LMM) to analyse factors that contribute to uncertainty. Probabilities from conditional simulations in combination with agronomic critical thresholds for acid-sensitive species can be used to identify areas that are likely, or very likely, to be below these critical thresholds for plant production. Because of rapid changes in farming systems and management practices, there is a need to be vigilant in monitoring changes in soil acidification. This is because soil acidification is an important factor in primary production and soil sustainability. In this research, legacy data from south-western Victoria (Australia) were used with model-based geostatistics to produce a map of soil pH that accommodates a variety of error sources, such as the time of sampling, seasonal variation, differences in analytical method, effects of changes in land use and variable soil sample depth in legacy data. Spatial covariates that are representative of soil-forming factors were used to improve predictions. To transform spatial prediction and estimates of error in soil pH into more informative and usable maps with more information content, simulations from the conditional distribution were used to compute the probability of a soil's pH being less than critical agronomic production thresholds at each of the prediction locations. These probabilities were mapped to reveal areas of potential risk. Highlights: Can maps of soil pH be improved by accounting for temporal variation and change in land use? First example of taking account of temporal variability in sampling for pH in spatial models. Key factors for uncertainty in spatial prediction include time of sampling and sample depth. Accuracy improved by accounting for additional sources of error combined with conditional simulations. © 2017 British Society of Soil Science