1st Edition

Laboratory Guide for Conducting Soil Tests and Plant Analysis

By J. Benton Jones, Jr. Copyright 2001
    384 Pages 20 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    384 Pages
    by CRC Press

    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.

    Preface
    INTRODUCTION
    Reference Methods
    Reagents, Standards, and Water
    Elemental and Compound Designation
    Other Considerations
    Interpretation of a Soil Test/Plant Analysis Result
    Units
    Disclaimer
    SOIL ANALYSIS (TESTING)
    History and Purpose
    Sequence of Procedures
    Sampling
    Transport to the Laboratory
    Preparation of the Laboratory SampleWeighing versus Scooping
    Sample Aliquot Determination
    Laboratory Factors
    Long-Term Storage
    Soil pH
    Soil Buffer pH
    Extractable ElementsPhosphorus
    Major Cations (K, Ca, Mg, and Na)
    Micronutrients (B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn)
    Trace Heavy Metals
    Extractable Nitrate-Nitrogen
    Extractable Sulfate-Sulfur
    Testing Organic Soils and Soilless Media
    Organic Matter and Humic Matter Content Determinations
    Soluble Salt Determination
    Soil Texture (Mechanical Analysis)Special Tests
    Testing Organic Soils and Soilless Media
    Total Analysis
    PLANT ANALYSIS
    Purpose
    Sampling
    Sample PreparationPlant Tissue Preparation
    Elemental Analysis for the Mineral Elements
    Total Nitrogen Determination
    Total Sulfur Determination
    Methods for Expressing Elemental Content
    Interpretation of Results
    Decontamination
    Oven Drying
    Grinding
    Organic Matter Destruction
    Laboratory Analysis of Plant Digest
    Extractable Elements
    TISSUE TESTING
    Introduction
    Testing Kits
    Preparation of Reagents for Conductiong Tissue Tests Using Filter Paper
    Sampling Techniques
    Testing Procedures
    Methods of Interpretation
    Use of a Specific-Ion Nitrate Meter
    Sources for Kits and Instruments
    PRINCIPLES OF INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS
    Introduction
    UV-VIS Spectrophotometry (Colorimetry)
    Emission SpectroscopySpectrophotmetryAtomic Absorption Spectroscopy
    Specific Ion Electrodes
    pH and Specific-Ion Electrodes
    Ion Chromatoraphy
    QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL IN THE LABORATORY
    IntroductionMethodology
    Documentation
    Accuracy and Precision
    Standards
    Instrumentaion
    Laboratory Procedures
    Participation in Proficiency Testing Programs
    APPENDICES
    Lists of Reagents, Standards, ph Buffers, Acids, Indicators, and Preparation of Standard Acids, Bases, and Buffers
    Standards and Standard Preparation
    Extraction Reagents and Procedures
    The North American Proficiency Testing Program for Soil, Plant, and Water Analysis Laboratories (NAPT)
    ASI Extraction Reagent Method for Soil Analysis
    Reference Texts
    Definitions
    Conversion Factors

    Each chapter also contains a references section.

    Biography

    J. Benton Jones Jr.