Soil Analysis

Soils vary greatly throughout the world, they have inherent weakness, primarily deficiency in nutrients essential to growing crops. Even whe adequately supplied in the early stages of land cultivation, the nutrient supplying capacity invariably diminishes with time. Most soils are deficient in nitrogen, it is transient in nature and plants need a lot of it. In many cases, phosphorus (p) is just as critical, soil chemical reactions reduce the effectiveness of phosphorus fertilizers.

As no essential element will substitute for another, It is critically important to identify where and when such Deficiencies occur. That is where the role of oil and plant analysis comes in.Techniques have been developed to evaluate soil fertility constraints based on soil chemical extraction and analysis of the plants that grow on such soils. Both are compleimentary and when calibrated with field crop response to fertilizer, provide a rational basis to identify what elements are missing and how much fertilizer to apply.

Therefore, soil and plant analysis laboratories have a vital role in agricultural development. However, the process does not end there. TO be meaningful and valid, tests have to be appropriate for the purpose intended and reliable and repeatable.

Who should attend?

Technicians, Chemists,Supervisors and Laboratory Managers interested in soil analysis

Course Duration

8 days

Topics covered

This course covers theoretical and practical aspects of soil analysis

Theoretical

• The importance of soil analysis
• Theoretical basic for soil analysis .li>
• Assess the results ofsoil analysis.

Practical Work

The practical part of this course will include the following tests:

• Dry Matter
• Total Nitrogen
• Nitrate-N (2N KCL Extract)

• Dry Matter
• Total Nitrogen
• Nitrate-N (2N KCL Extract)
• Potassium (Ammonium Aceate extract)
• Calcium carbonate
• Calcium (Ammonium Aceate extract)
• Organic carbon
• Organic Matter
• Mineral Nitrogen
• P (Olsen extract)
• Total K
• Total Na
• Total Ca
• Total Mg
• Total Fe
• Total Cu
• Total Zn
• Total Mn
• Total B
• Total P
• Boron (Hot water extract)
• Magnesium (Ammonium Aceate extract)
• Sodium (Ammonium Aceate extract)
• Iron (Ammonium Aceate -DTPA extract)
• Zinc (Ammonium Aceate -DTPA extract)
• Copper (Ammonium Aceate -DTPA extract)
• Manganese (Ammonium Aceate -DTPA extract)
• PH(1.5)
• EC