Laboratory Guide for Conducting Soil Tests and Plant Analysis

About this book

With the help of this guide, you can use obtained test results to evaluate the fertility status of soils and the nutrient element status of plants for crop production purposes. It serves as an instructional manual on the techniques used to perform chemical and physical characteristic tests on soils. Laboratory Guide for Conducting Soil Tests and Plant Analysis describes the basis and procedures for each test in detail, including analytical instrumentation procedures and laboratory quality assurance requirements.

Contents

PrefaceINTRODUCTIONReference MethodsReagents, Standards, and WaterElemental and Compound DesignationOther ConsiderationsInterpretation of a Soil Test/Plant Analysis ResultUnitsDisclaimerSOIL ANALYSIS (TESTING)History and PurposeSequence of ProceduresSamplingTransport to the LaboratoryPreparation of the Laboratory SampleWeighing versus ScoopingSample Aliquot DeterminationLaboratory FactorsLong-Term StorageSoil pHSoil Buffer pHExtractable ElementsPhosphorusMajor Cations (K, Ca, Mg, and Na)Micronutrients (B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn)Trace Heavy MetalsExtractable Nitrate-NitrogenExtractable Sulfate-SulfurTesting Organic Soils and Soilless MediaOrganic Matter and Humic Matter Content DeterminationsSoluble Salt DeterminationSoil Texture (Mechanical Analysis)Special TestsTesting Organic Soils and Soilless MediaTotal AnalysisPLANT ANALYSISPurposeSamplingSample PreparationPlant Tissue PreparationElemental Analysis for the Mineral ElementsTotal Nitrogen DeterminationTotal Sulfur DeterminationMethods for Expressing Elemental ContentInterpretation of ResultsDecontaminationOven DryingGrindingOrganic Matter DestructionLaboratory Analysis of Plant DigestExtractable ElementsTISSUE TESTINGIntroductionTesting KitsPreparation of Reagents for Conductiong Tissue Tests Using Filter PaperSampling TechniquesTesting ProceduresMethods of InterpretationUse of a Specific-Ion Nitrate MeterSources for Kits and InstrumentsPRINCIPLES OF INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSISIntroductionUV-VIS Spectrophotometry (Colorimetry)Emission SpectroscopySpectrophotmetryAtomic Absorption SpectroscopySpecific Ion ElectrodespH and Specific-Ion ElectrodesIon ChromatoraphyQUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL IN THE LABORATORYIntroductionMethodologyDocumentationAccuracy and PrecisionStandardsInstrumentaionLaboratory ProceduresParticipation in Proficiency Testing ProgramsAPPENDICESLists of Reagents, Standards, ph Buffers, Acids, Indicators, and Preparation of Standard Acids, Bases, and BuffersStandards and Standard PreparationExtraction Reagents and ProceduresThe North American Proficiency Testing Program for Soil, Plant, and Water Analysis Laboratories (NAPT)ASI Extraction Reagent Method for Soil AnalysisReference TextsDefinitionsConversion FactorsEach chapter also contains a references section.

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