NewOctober 2026 release: John Deere sync redesign, rate min and max limits, yield report zones

Soil sampling requirements in Germany

Soil sampling requirements in Germany

National rules: Düngeverordnung 2017, last amended 11 December 2024.

Soil sampling in Germany: frequency, area, depth and cores

How often do you need to soil sample in Germany?

Soil sampling rules in Germany, with the exact wording of each source
Country / region Purpose / programme Time / frequency Area per sample Method Depth Cores Status and source
Germany
GermanyFederal rule. Each federal state sets the sampling protocol.Phosphate soil analysis before fertilisingDüngeverordnung (DüV), Fertiliser Ordinance
  • Repeat At least every 6 years, per field of 1 ha or more
Not specifiedRepresentative soil samples. Sampling and analysis follow the protocol of the competent body in each federal state.Not specifiedNot specifiedConditionalDüV § 4
Who it applies to, the exact wording and every source
Who it applies to
Farm operators, for every field (Schlag) of 1 ha or more, before substantial nutrient quantities are applied: more than 50 kg N or 30 kg P2O5 per hectare and year.
Outside the rule
Grazing-only land with up to 100 kg N/ha a year from livestock manure and no extra N fertiliser (§ 10(3) No. 2).
Laboratory and analysis
As required by the competent body under federal state law.
In force from
Under review
Legal text
Düngeverordnung 2017, last amended 11 December 2024, § 4(4) sentence 1 No. 2

The wording in the source

Timing

Method

  • für Phosphat auf Grundlage der Untersuchung repräsentativer Bodenproben

    for phosphate, on the basis of the analysis of representative soil samples

    § 4 Abs. 4 Satz 1 Nr. 2

  • Die Probennahmen und Untersuchungen sind nach Vorgaben der nach Landesrecht zuständigen Stelle durchzuführen.

    Sampling and analysis are to be carried out according to the requirements of the body competent under federal state law.

    § 4 Abs. 4, last sentence

Who it applies to

  • Vor dem Aufbringen wesentlicher Nährstoffmengen sind die im Boden verfügbaren Nährstoffmengen vom Betriebsinhaber zu ermitteln

    Before applying substantial quantities of nutrients, the farm operator must determine the quantities of nutrients available in the soil

    § 4 Abs. 4 Satz 1

  • eine zugeführte Nährstoffmenge je Hektar und Jahr von mehr als 50 Kilogramm Stickstoff (Gesamtstickstoff) oder 30 Kilogramm Phosphat (P2O5)

    an applied nutrient quantity per hectare and year of more than 50 kilograms of nitrogen (total nitrogen) or 30 kilograms of phosphate (P2O5)

    § 2 Nr. 10, definition of a substantial nutrient quantity

Outside the rule

  • Ausgenommen sind Flächen nach § 10 Absatz 3 Nummer 2.

    Areas under § 10(3) No. 2 are excepted.

    § 4 Abs. 4 Satz 1 Nr. 2

  • Flächen mit ausschließlicher Weidehaltung bei einem jährlichen Stickstoffanfall (Stickstoffausscheidung) an Wirtschaftsdüngern tierischer Herkunft von bis zu 100 Kilogramm Stickstoff je Hektar, wenn keine zusätzliche Stickstoffdüngung erfolgt

    areas used exclusively for grazing with an annual nitrogen excretion from livestock manure of up to 100 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare, where no additional nitrogen fertilisation takes place

    § 10 Abs. 3 Nr. 2

Laboratory and analysis

  • Die Probennahmen und Untersuchungen sind nach Vorgaben der nach Landesrecht zuständigen Stelle durchzuführen.

    Sampling and analysis are to be carried out according to the requirements of the body competent under federal state law.

    § 4 Abs. 4, last sentence

Sources

Sources re-checked every two months, last update October 2026. Reviewed by GeoPard editorial team.

Soil sampling regulations in every country

Report an outdated requirement: info@geopard.tech

Plan the points to the rule that applies

Set the area per sample, the cores and the depth your rule asks for. GeoPard places the points on a grid or by zone, routes the walk, prints the labels and takes the plan to the field on a phone.

wpChatIcon
wpChatIcon

    Request Free GeoPard Demo / Consultation








    By clicking the button you agree our Privacy Policy. We need it to reply to your request.

      Subscribe


      By clicking the button you agree our Privacy Policy

        Send us information


        By clicking the button you agree our Privacy Policy