Many of the compacted zones are under 9 inches to the point roots will turn and be restricted from more depth penetration. This zone could start a fall diapause program in the summer and fall of 2001. Arkansas has a poor record of utilizing no-till cotton production. And the amount of reduced tillage programs is not as high as it should be. As fields are harvested, it is time to take soil samples for soil fertility and fertilizer recommendations as well as samples for nematodes.
Growers sometimes ask what the difference is in taking fertility soil samples and nematode samples.
The biggest difference is that nematodes are living creatures that you want to stay alive in transport to the testing lab. Those samples should be treated like a perishable product and kept cool, out of sunlight and excess heat. They are also placed into sealed plastic containers for shipment where fertility samples may be placed in paper boxes. Samples for nematode assay should also be taken alongside the plant and roots sheared off with the soil probe. Soil fertility samples may be taken on the bed or in the row middle.