ESTIMATION OF NITRATE IN SOIL SAMPLE

OBJECTIVE:
Estimation of Nitrate in the Given Soil Sample Using Soil Testing Kit.
PRINCIPLE:
Thenitrate present in the sample solution is first reduced in the nitrite. Nitrite is then
colourmetrically measured by using colour development reagent and the colour was
matched with the colour chart given in the sample kit.
PROCEDURE:
Step 1: Collection of soil sample in field
Materials required for soil sample collection >spade or auger (screw or tube or post
hole type), khurpi, sampling bags, plastic tray.]
1.1.Select the sample spot.
1.2. Remove the surface litter.
1.3. Make a 'V shaped cut with a spade to a depth of 15 cm inthe sampling spot, drive
the auger to a depth of 15 cm and draw the soil sample
1.4. Collect soils using khurpi.
1.5. Mix the sample in a plastic tray thoroughly.
1.6. Remove foreign materials like roots, stones, pebblesand gravels
1.7. Collect the sample in a clean zip lock cloth or polythene bag
1.8. Label the bag with required information (Collection date, Collection place)
Step 2: Preparation of the soil sample for testing
2.1 Break the large lamps by spreading the soil sample on a clean sheet.
2.2 Put the soil at a shaded place for 24 hours for air drying (this
procedure is effective in evaporating water held in soil pores and soil
surface, however organic matter is not lost from the soil). Oven drying is
not necessary at al. If the estimation is to be carried out in field, moist
soil may also be used.
2.3 Powder the dried sample by morter and pestle.
2.4 Sieve the sample through 2 mm sieve.
2.5 Repeat powdering and sieving until only materials of >= 2mm (no
soil or clod) are left on the sieve.
2.6 Collect the material passing through the sieve and store in a clean
glass container (preferably a borosilicate glass beaker) with proper
labeling.
 Step 3: Preparation of soil solution
3.1 Measure 5 gm of soil on a piece
of paper with a digital weighing machine
3.2 Mix 5 gm of soil with 50 ml of distilled water in a glass beaker. [Proportion
of solute (soil) and solvent (distilled water) could be 1:10to 1:50.
3.3 Stir the mixture in a circular way (a glass rod may be used or the beaker
itself should be moved in a circular way) for 2 minutes. and then keep it in rest
for 2 minutes.
3.4 Repeat the the process for 7-8 times within at least 30 minutes.
3.5 Now slowly filter the solution with a funnel, filter paper and conical flask.
Step 4: Estimation of nitrate in collected soil sample by soil testing kit
4.1 10 ml of solution sample is to be taken in the test tube.
to the tube and the solution is to
4.2 Apinch ofnitrate reagent-1 (NA-1) is added
beagitated for 5 minutes and transferred (about 5 ml) to another test tube.
4.3 Then 3 drops of nitrate reagent-2 (NA-2)is added to the solution and mixed
well with occasional stiring. After 5 min, the final colour of the sample is to be
matched with the colour chart given in the sample kit and the result should be
noted.
 Note:
1.H2 Very High, H1 - H i g h , M 2 Medium High, M1 - Medium Low, L2 - L o w ,

Li Very Low

No. of Place where the soil Date of Time of Date af Remarks

Sample sample has been collectlona collectlon experiment
collected
High Medium/Low (H1, H2, |
M1, M2, L1, L2)
PROCEDURE:
1) 5 cc of air dried soil sample is to be measured using measuring
cylinder and to be taken in the test tube as provided in the soil
testing kit.
2) Then 25 ml of Potassium reagent-1(K-1) are added into the
solution and mxed well by agitating it and keep it for 10 to
Sample
15 minutes.
3) Then a pinch of Decolorizer (D - 1) is to be added into the soil
mixture and again by agitating ttke substance is to be mixed well.
4) Now the mixture will be filtered into a conical flask or color
developing bottle by using one funnel and filter paper provided in
the soil testing kit.
5) 1 ml or 20 drops of Potassium Reagent -2 (K-2) is to be added
and to be mixed well. It will take 1 to 2 minutes to develop the
colour.
6) The cloudiness that forms is compared with Potassium Colour
Chart and the value is to be recorded.
 ESTIMATION OF PHOSPHATE IN SOIL SAMPLE
OBJECTIVE:
Estimation of Phospate in the Given Soil Sample Using Soil Testing Kit
PRINCIPLE:
The phosphate found in the waters mainly exists as the orthophosphate
(PO) species, however the other forms of phosphate may be hydrolysed
on pH. Phosphate will readily react
into orthophosphate (PO,) depending
with the ammonium molybdate in the presence of suitable reducing agent
to form a blue coloured complex.,I he intensity of the colour is directly

proportional with the concentration of the phosphate present in the

sample solution. These will ultimately determine by the colour matching
from the chart given in thc samplc test kit.
PROCEDURE:
Step 1,2, 3 are same as before
Step 4: Estimation of phosphate in collected soii sauple by soil
testing kit
1) 5ml of the sample solution is to be taken in the test tube as
provided in the soil testing kit.
2) Then 5 drops of Phosphate reagent-I (PR-1) and I drop of
Phosphate reagent-2 (PR-2) are added into sample solution and
mixed thoroughly. After 2 to 3 minutes blue colour will develop in
the test tube.
3) The colour that has been fomed is to be compared with the
Phosphate Colour Chart and the value is to be recorded,
me Date o Recrk

Sanple Sanplk has Deen collecton collsction experiment Higb Medum Low (H1
collackd
H2. AM1. A12. Li. L2)
 ESTIMATION OF POTASSIUM IN SOIL SAMPLE
OBJECTIVE:
Estimation of Potassium in the Given Soil Sample Using Soil
Testing Kit
PRINCIPLE:
Potassium is an essential nutrient for plant growth, and one of the
three main macronutrients together with N and P. Potassium is
present in the soil in water-soluble, exchangeable,
nonexchangeable, and mineral forms. These four forms of K
give a general representation of the potential sources for plant-
available K. K is added to soil as fertilizer, manure, or crop
residues. Sol testing 1s the most commonly used diagnostic tool
in agriculture to assess plant K availability in soils. The estimate
of soil exchangeable K with the ammonium-acetate extractant
from airdried or oven-dried soil samples is the most widely used
method to predict plant-available K.
https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/38897765.pdf
PROCEDURE:
1) 5 cc of air dried soil sample is to be measured using measuring
cylinder and to be taken in the test tube as provided in the soil
testing kit.
2) Then 25 ml of Potassium reagent-1(K-1) are added into the
sample solution and mixed well by agitating it and keep it for 10 to
15 minutes.
3) Then a pinch of Decolorizer (D 1) is to be added
-
into the soil
mixture and again by agitating the substance is to be mixed well.
4) Now the mixture will be filtered into conical flask or color
a

developing bottle by using one funnel and filter paper provided in

the soil testing kit.

5) I ml or 20 drops of Potassium Reagent 2 (K -2) is to be added
and to be mixed well. It will take I to 2 minutes to develop the
colour.
6) The cloudiness that forms is compared with Potassium Colour
Chart and the value is to be recorded.
 RESULTS:

No. of Place where the Date of Time of Date of Remarks

Sample soil sample has collection collection experiment

High
been collected
Medium/
Low (H1,
H2, M1, M2,
L1, L2)
 ESTIMATION OF ORGANIC CARBON IN SOIL SAMPLE
OBJECTIVE:
Estimation of Organic Carbon in the Given Soil Sample Using Soil Testing Kit.
DEFINITION:
Soil organic matter refers to all decomposed, partly decomposed and
undecomposed organic materials of plant and animal origin. It is generally
synonymous with humus although the latter is more commonly used when
referring to the well decomposed organic matter called humic substances. Soil
organic matter is a primary indicator of soil quality
IMPORTANCEOFSoIL ORGANIC CARBON
| It affects almost all soil properties. Carbon, as soil organic
matter,
It alters the physical, chemical, and biological properties of
soils.
Improvements in soil organic matter create a more favourable
soil environment, leading increases in plant growth.
to
Higher soil organic matter levels cause the soil to retain more
water that results in better crop yields,
 Step 1,2,same as above
PRINCIPLE:
Requirements Step 3: Testing method
Organic carbon . Put one fiull spoon of soil into the soil mixing botle
reagent 1 (OC-2. Put the gloves and add 5 ml of organic carbon reagent
-

1 into the soil and mix'it well by agitating the bottle.

1)
student should be very alert at this step. Testing kit
Organic carbonNOW
making companies do not disclose the chemical name of
reagent 2(OC.
the reagent. But according to the common formula, this
2)
reagent may be concentrated sulfuric acid. Lack of
Measuring attention at this stage may harm the students and the
cylinder (10 ml) damage the laboratory.)
Test Tube (25
3. Add very slowly 5 ml of organic carbon reagent 2
ml) and mix it well and allow to stand för 10 minutes to
Soil mixing complete the reaction. Then transfer the supernatant
bottle
liquid carefully into a glass test tube.
Spatula / spoon The colour that forms is compared with organic carbon
Gloves and record as low, medium or high:
Handbook and colour chart
Discard the solution carefully
and clean all the tubes
colourchart well.
 RESULTS:

No. of Place where the Date of Time of Date of Remarks

Sample soil sample has collection collection experiment High /Medium .
| been collected
Low
1.

Rating Chart for

Nutrient Low Medium High
Soil Test Data
Organic carbon < 0.5 % 0.5 -7.5% 0.75%

Available nitrogen (N) < 240Kg/ha 240-480kg/ha 480Kg/ha

Available Phosphorus (P) <11.0 Kg/ha 11-22 Kg/ha >
22 Kg/ha
Available potassium (K) < 110Kg/ha 110-280Kg/ha 280Kg/ha
Soil 1ypes pH
Acids 6.0

Normal to Saline 6.0 to 8.5

Tending to become Alkaline 8.9 to 9.0

Alkaline > 9.0


I undersland the carbun status al his treld
ADVANTAGES OF THE KIT
1.It is user friendly as any farmer himself
check the percentage of organic carbon in his
field.
2.It gives quick and reliable results.
3.Evaluates the impact of organic carbon
amendments supplemented periodically.
4It gives idea of amount of organic manure
additions.
5I is.economicalandtime savina
This kil analyses organic carhon Content
of sail direcily on the field This kithas
heen dev5ed to help larmers La
which ultimutely decides the vield of
crop Ii gives quick results and thereby
enables farmer to talke curcctive
measures for maintaining suil fertiliry
cspecially before sowing and ai the
harvest af gay crop. The detectio
method works an the basis of argame
matrer exNUraction rom the soil. The
extraction is again enhanced by addition
of chemicals provided in the kit The
calour developed afier extraction can be
compared wilh chart pravided for
estimatian of organic carbon conient of
the soil. 1he analysis is easy to perform,
requires only 15-20 min. rime and
farmers can use the kit without any prior
knowledge
http://barc.gov.in/technologies/sacdk/index.
html
Process: This kit consists of different components and chemicals required for
analysis of organic carbon. After collection of the soil sample from the ficld take
one spoon ofsoil and add 10 ml of chemical solution A & 10 ml of chemical
solution B. After mixing gently and allow it to stand for 10-15 min & filter through
a given filter paper in the kit. Compare the colour of the clean filtrate with the
given colour chart in the kit. The organic carbon content of your soil is the assigned
value of most matching colour on the standard chart.
http://barc.gov.in/technologies/socdk/index.
html

PROCESS: This kit consists of different components and

chemicals required for analysis of organic carbon. After
collection of the soil sample from the field take one spoon of
soil and add 10 ml of chemical solution A & 10 ml of
chemical solution B. After mixing gently and allow it to
DE3EN 07 stand for 10-15 min & filter through a given filter paper in
the kit. Compare the colour of the clean filtrate with the
given colour chart in the kit. The organic carbon content of
your soil is the assigned value of most matching colour on
the standard chart.

http://www.barc.gov.in/akruti-tp/atp_socdtk.htm