SOS 515
Soil and Plant Analysis
Prof. O. O. Adejuyigbe
Dr. J. O. Azeez
Dr. (Mrs) F. A. Olowokere
Dr. G. A. Ajiboye
Course Synopsis
• The principles of soil testing
• Collection and preparation of soil and plant
samples
• Operation and management of a soil testing
and plant analysis laboratory
• Dissolution for total elemental analysis
• Testing for available nutrients in soils
• Testing soil for pH and lime requirement
• Testing for lime requirements
• Interpretation of analytical results
Course Synopsis
• Principles and practices in plant analysis
• Sampling and analysing tissue samples
• Plant analysis as an aid in fertilizing crops
• PRACTICALS
Sampling techniques
Handling soil and plant samples
Analysis of soil samples for a total and
available nutrients
Techniques for Assessing Nutrient
Status of Soil
• Deficiency Symptoms of Plants
• Greenhouse experiment to measure
growth, yield and nutrient uptake
• Field plot experiment
• Plant sap test
• Microbiological tests
• Soil Testing
• Plant tissue analysis
Visual Deficiency Symptoms
• Use only as supplement; to monitor the crop
• Require expertise
• Deficiency = nutrient stress has affected yield
• Visual symptoms may be caused by more than
one or more nutrients, or due to disease of
physiological stress.
• Deficiency of one nutrient may be related to
excess of another
• Difficult (sometimes) to distinguish among
deficiency symptoms in the field
Soil testing
Definition of Soil Testing
Soil testing is a rapid chemical analysis carried
out to assess available nutrient status of
the soil and includes interpretation, evaluation
and fertilizer recommendation based on the
result of chemical analysis and other
considerations
Objectives of Soil Testing
• To give an index of nutrient availability
• To predict the probability of obtaining a
profitable response to lime and fertilizers
• To provide a basis for recommendations
regarding the amount of lime and fertilizers to
apply
• To evaluate the fertility status of soils on a
geographic area basis
• To determine the ecological effect of some
agricultural production and environmental
pollution
Points to note
• Soil testing is the easiest approach to
maintaining soil fertility
• Soil test values depend upon soil test
methods
• Recommended nutrient application rates
vary with soil test results and the
interpretation of those results
Principles of Soil testing
Two concepts in soil testing
Soil testing procedure
VS
Soil Testing Programme
Soil Testing Procedure
Consists of five steps
Soil sampling
Sample preparation
Soil analysis (laboratory analysis of soil)
Data interpretation
Fertilizer, lime or management
recommendations
Soil Testing Programme
Consists of five steps
Soil sampling
Sample preparation
Soil analysis (laboratory analysis of soil)
Correlation
Calibration
Data interpretation
Fertilizer, lime or management
recommendations
Background Research
• Correlation – Relating the chemically
measured level of fertility in the soil to the
plant available level of fertility in the soil
• Calibration – Field experimentation by which
soils of a whole region, state or country is
grouped into different fertilizer response
zones for specific crops.
Soil Sampling
Critical aspect of soil testing
The weakest link in the soil testing process
Less than 10 g of soil are used in the
laboratory to ‘represent’ a field that may
weigh more than 2 million lbs per acre-
furrow-slice
Use soil testing guidelines for collecting
‘representative’ soil samples
Soil sampling
• Factors affecting variations in soils must be
considered during sampling
• Such factors include:
Vegetation cover – type of vegetation
- affects soil composition through residue
incorporation (e g. after harvesting
- affects soil structure
Factors affecting soil variations
• Cropping system
Making soil less
- Crop canopy susceptible to erosion
- Rooting system and leaching
• Topography
– Good topsoil is often eroded from hilltop and upper
slopes and ridges, deposited , along with clay, in lower
areas
• Cropping and Tillage practices
- Lead to mixing of soil either slightly or heavily
Sampling plans
• Sampling plan/technique/methods refers to
how soil samples are taken in the field in
terms of number and point and spacing
relative one to onother
• Soil analysis is only as good as the soil sample
on which it is based
Sampling plans
• First rule to remember in soil sampling is to
always make a detailed plan of the sampling
technique/method to be used:
– Depth of the soil to be sampled
– Size of sample required /number of samples
sufficient for accurate analysis
Types of sampling plans
• Judgemental sampling
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified random sampling
• Systematic sampling
Judgemental sampling
Based on the expertise and knowledge of the
researcher or experienced field man
Visual observation of variation within the field
• Accuracy of samples depend totally on the
judgement of the researcher
– May be good or bad
– Could lead to oversampling on one extreme and
non-representative samples on the other extreme
Judgemental sampling
• Appropriate for small sites/fields with less
requirement for precision
• Could be time consuming and increase error
when large area of land is involved
Simple random sampling
• A method in obtaining unbiased samples
• Steps involved:
– Obtain a map or sketch of the field to be sampled
– Determine which interval will be used to select
the point
– Draw two random numbers to represent the
number of scaling units measured along the
length and breadth of the field
– Locate the intersection of the two points in the
field
Simple random sampling
• Steps involved (continued)
– Take sample at intersection point
– The point can also be used as baseline for
subsequent sampling
Fig. 1: A typical pattern of simple random sampling points
Stratified random sampling
• Used when the factors causing variations are
clearly observed
• The field (population) is divided into parts
(subpopulations) based on the basis of:
– Slope
– Land use history
– Vegetation cover
– Cropping and tillage practices etc
Stratified random sampling
• Simple random sampling is carried out in the
subunits of the field
• May be used
– to obtain information about the different parts of the
field
– To increase the accuracy of the results of analyses
• Gives a better coverage of the field
Systematic sampling
• Sampling in which the selected units are
equidistant from each other, either in one or
two dimensions
• These units exist along one line or in a linear
order.
• The first sample is selected at random, and
those that follows exist at uniform intervals
• Sampling points are obtained with grid pattern
on the field map or sketch
Sampling techniques
• Subsampling
– Dividing of sample unit into smaller portions out
of which one portion is chosen depending on the
purpose of the sample
• Composite sampling
– Obtained by first taking a number of field samples
of equal size and then bulked together, thoroughly
mixed by quartering and subsampling
Sampling tools
Designed to collect representative samples
Varied based on
Properties of the soil (texture, structure,
moisture content (etc)
• Physical properties
• Chemical properties
Presence of impediments (roots
Depth of sampling
Use of the samples
Basic sampling tools
OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT
OF SOIL AND PLANT ANALYSIS
LABORATORY(SPL)
Factors that determine the efficiency of
soil and plant analysis lab
Location
Design and construction: building
design, building size, building layout,
interior design
Space (allocation of space)
Essentials in a functional SPL
•Features which are indispensable to have in SPL
laboratory
Heating or cooling system
Fume hoods and canopies (fume cupboards)
Windows
Sinks
Services (power sockets)
Well configured benches
Data station or desks
Resistant work surface
Essentials in a functional SPL
• Other features to consider include
• Flooring
• Pillars
• Wall finish
• Lighting
• Ceiling
Essentials in a functional SPL
• Designated Rooms and Areas
• Sample receiving room and storage
• Weighing room
• Digestion room
• Extraction and Dilution room
• Configuration or filtering
• The instrument room
• Washing area and glass storage room
• Chemical cabinets/ Stock room
Water supply in the laboratory
• Abundant clean water for smooth running
• Large and small scale distillation unit
• Hot water supply installed close to area
where it is needed
LABORATORY SAFETY AND
PRECUATIONS
Comprehensive knowledge of safety
precautions are is a must today
Laboratories and equipment are getting
more and more complex
Reduction in chances of injury
Safety of human personnel, user,
equipment, and environment
Safety precautions
Design a safety code practice
Minimize hazards by anticipating them
Contain or isolate hazards
Insist on good conduct and no horseplay in the
laboratory
Eat or drink in approved areas
Maintain good housekeeping habit
Ensure that specialized equipment is run only by
authorised and trained personnel
Observe and obey safety programs, rules and
precautions
