Mullaproovi

Mullaproovi is a term used in Estonian to denote a soil sample collected for laboratory analysis. The word combines mulla, meaning soil, with proov, meaning test or sample, and the form mullaproovi is used in common agricultural and environmental language to refer to the specimen itself. In practice, mullaproovi describes the physical piece of soil that is taken from a site and prepared for chemical, physical, and biological testing.

Usage and scope. Mullaproovid are used to assess soil fertility, pH, nutrient content (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), organic matter, texture, and salinity, as well as to detect contaminants or pollutants. They support decisions on fertilization, liming, crop management, soil conservation, and land remediation. In environmental monitoring and civil engineering, mullaproovid may also be analyzed for metal content, pesticide residues, or other hazardous substances. The concept is applicable to agricultural fields, forest soils, garden plots, and construction sites.

Collection and handling. A mullaproovi is typically obtained using standardized sampling methods designed to represent the reserve or area of interest. This may involve collecting multiple cores or auger samples from a grid or transect, specifying depth intervals, and combining them into a composite sample. Samples are cleaned, air-dried or gently dried, sometimes ground, labeled with location and depth, and transported in sealed containers to a laboratory, where they are prepared for analysis.

Laboratories then perform the requested tests and report results that guide management decisions and land-use planning.