Soil fertility and plant nutrition is an applied science that integrates knowledge across all disciplines of soil and plant sciences to provide nutrients effectively and efficiently to plants. Efficient use of nutrients is required not only to maximize agricultural production but also to protect air, soil, and water quality as well as the natural resources involved in providing fertilizers to support agricultural production.
This book, Experimental Soil Fertility and Biology, by Dr. A. S. Mailappa, is truly a tour de force of condensation of the essentials of scientific knowledge and approaches to soil science and discusses the various aspects of soil fertility and crop nutrition with a focus on collection, preparation, and analysis of essential plant nutrients in soil, plant, and water.
This book is unique, written in a simple and lucid manner and covering all aspects of soil fertility and biology in comprehensive chapters. This book is organized to facilitate rapid location of information, while being written in a readable style. The topics and discussion in this self-contained book are practical and user-friendly, yet comprehensive enough to cover material presented in upper-level soil and plant science courses. It allows practitioners with general background knowledge to feel confident applying the principles presented to soil/crop production systems.
Readership: students / teachers / researchers / practitioners of agricultural universities/ institutes, engaged in teaching, research and extension activities related to agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and other allied disciplines.
Table of contents
ForewordPreface
About the AuthorGood Laboratory Practices and Laboratory Safety
Basic Principles of Analytical Techniques and Instrumental Methods
Analytical Chemistry - Basic Concepts
Laboratory Vessels and Their Uses
Basic Techniques of Analytical Chemistry
Preparation of Primary Standard Solutions
Preparation of Secondary Standard Solution of an Acid
Preparation of Secondary Standard Solution of a Base
Working Principle of Some of Important Instruments
Collection and Preparation of Soil Samples for Laboratory Analyzis
Estimation of Soil pH
Estimation of Electrical Conductivity of Soil
Estimation of Organic Carbon Content of Soil
[Titrimetric/ Walkley and Black (1934) Method]
Determination of Available Nitrogen in Soil
[Alkaline Permanganate / Subbiah and Asija (1956) Method]
Estimation of Available Phosphorus in Soil
[Bray’s Method – Acid Soils ; Olsen’s Method – Neutral and Alkaline Soils ]
Estimation of Available Potassium in Soil
[Hanway and Heidel (1952) Method]
Estimation of Available Sulfur in Soil
[Williams and Steinbergs (1959) Method]
Estimation of Available Micronutrients in Soil
[DTPA / Lindsay and Norvell (1978) Method]
Determination of Water Soluble Carbonate and Bicarbonate in Soil (Titrimetric Method)
Determination of Water Soluble Chloride in Soil (Argentimetric Method)
Determination of Water Soluble Calcium and Magnesium in Soil (Complexometric Titration Method / Versenate Method)
Determination of Water-Soluble Sodium and Potassium in Soil (Flame Photometric Method)
Determination of Cation Exchange Capacity of Soil
Determination of Exchangeable Potassium in Soil
Determination of Exchangeable Sodium in Soil
Determination of Exchangeable Calcium and Magnesium in Soil
Determination of Lime Requirement of Soil
[Shoemaker, Mc Lean and Pratt (SMP) Method, 1961]
Determination of Gypsum Requirement of Soil
[Schoonover (1952) Method]
Enumeration of Microorganisms in Soil : Preparation of Serial Dilution
Composition and Preparation of Microbiological Media
Sterilization Techniques: Sterilization of Media and Glasswares
Determination of Mineralization Rate of Organic Carbon Compounds : A Measure of Microbial Activity in Soil
Estimation of Nitrifying Power of Soil
Isolation and Quantitative Estimation of Azotobacter in Soils
Isolation and Quantitative Estimation of Rhizobia in Soils
Isolation and Purification of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi
Collection and Preparation of Plant Samples for Laboratory Analyzis
Determination of Total Nitrogen in Plants
Determination of Total Phosphorus in Plants
Determination of Total Potassium in Plants
Assessment of Quality of Irrigation Water
ReferencesGlossary
Appendices
Biography
Dr. A.S.Mailappa, is a renowned Soil Scientist and is currently working as Associate Professor (Soil Science and Agrl. Chemistry) at College of Horticulture and Forestry, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, under Central Agricultural University, Imphal, India. He has obtained his M.Sc.(Ag.) in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry in 2000 from University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS, Bengaluru) under ICAR – Junior Research Fellowship and Ph.D. from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU, Coimbatore) in 2003 under Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) Senior Research Fellowship. He was working as JRF and SRF (Junior & Senior Research Fellow) in various projects including Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) during November, 1998 to March, 2007. He is specialized in Soil Chemistry, Soil Fertility and Soil Microbiology and has published more than 22 research papers in reputed journals, 17 books, 45 book chapters and several practical manuals & technical bulletins. He received 36 prestigious national and international awards for his immense contribution to Teaching, Research and Extension including Best Krishi Shikshak Award (Best Academician Award), Scientist Award – 2019 (Dr.B.V.David Foundation), Excellence in Teaching Award (SVWS), Excellence in Research Award (DRASS), Best Scientist Award (SFSN), Excellence in Innovation Award – 2020 (Dr.B.V.David Foundation, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Scientist Award- 2020, Outstanding Teacher Award – 2020 (SBER), International Education Excellence Award in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry – 2021 (CPACE), Reviewer Excellence Award (ARCC), Distinguished Scientist Award – 2021 (AETDS), Dr. Rattan Lal Award (AEEFWS – 2022), Excellence in Extension Education Award – 2022 (SBER), Entrepreneurship Development and Excellence Award - 2022 (Dr.B.V.David Foundation), Dr.V.P.Tyagi Memorial Award – 2022 (AETDS) and guided many PG and Ph.D students
