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A new sampler for extracting undisturbed surface peat cores for growth pot experiments

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 1998

A. BUTTLER
Affiliation:
Laboratoire d'Ecologie végétale et de Phytosociologie, Institut de Botanique de l'Université, rue Emile Argand 11, CH-2007 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
P. GROSVERNIER
Affiliation:
Laboratoire d'Ecologie végétale et de Phytosociologie, Institut de Botanique de l'Université, rue Emile Argand 11, CH-2007 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Y. MATTHEY
Affiliation:
Laboratoire d'Ecologie végétale et de Phytosociologie, Institut de Botanique de l'Université, rue Emile Argand 11, CH-2007 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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Abstract

The sampler extracts uncompressed cores of 13·3 cm in diameter, up to 70 cm long, from the surface layers of peat. It has two close-fitting concentric cylindrical tubes, the outer one acting as a cutter and the inner one as a collector. As the outer tube is introduced by rotation into the peat, the cut core is collected in the inner tube which is maintained in a fixed position during the rotation phase and then pushed down stepwise. This limits friction between the peat core and the wall of the corer and prevents compression or distortion of the peat. These problems are also reduced by means of three skew cutters allowing the peat to be supported during the slicing action. Air can penetrate between the tubes to the lower end of the core, suppressing any suction effect during withdrawal. The sampler has been tested and has worked satisfactorily in many different peat types.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Trustees of New Phytologist 1998

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