3. Place each sample in a firm polythene carrier.
4. Tag samples with a water-resistant marker.
5. Take account of the following information from each sampling
site: location information (comprising locality/area/site
name), date, habitat, allied vegetation, temperature, precipitation, altitude, etc.
6. Accumulate and observe the incidence of insects or other
invertebrates gathered with the sample for ensuing classification. They can signify prospective natural EPN hosts.
7. Cleanse soil sampling tools in-between samples by carefully
washing with water and/or cleansing them with 70% ethanol.
8. Keep samples at less than 28
C while transportation to the
laboratory.
9. Assess a portion of the soil sample to acquire details on composition of soil (sand, silt, and clay content), type, texture, pH,
moisture, EC (electrical conductivity), organic matter, etc.
10. Store soil samples at appropriate temperatures until EPN isolation, or else soil will be desiccated (Fig. 6).
Fig. 5 Stratified sampling
Collection and Processing of Soil Samples
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