Soil, Plant, Water and Fertilizer Analysis

Contents: 1. Collection and preparation of soil samples for analysis. 2. Estimation of soil texture. 3. Estimation of soil moisture and soil moisture constants. 4. Soil density and porosity. 5. Determination of rheological properties of soil. 6. Soil PH and electrical conductivity. 7. Water soluble salts. 8. Exchangeable cations and cation exchange capacity. 9. Estimation of available nutrients. 10. Microbiological analysis of soil: an introduction. 11. Enumeration and isolation of soil microorganism. 12. Rhizobium and nitrogen fixation. 13. Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza. 14. Plant analysis. 15. Water analysis: an introduction. 16. Physical analysis of water. 17. Chemical analysis of water. 18. Biological parameters of water. 19. Analysis of fertilizers and manures. 20. Appendix 1: Soil profile study. 21. Appendix 2: Laboratory help. 22. Appendix 3: Advanced analytical techniques. 23. Appendix 4: Common commercial concentrations of acids and ammonium hydroxide. 24. References.

"Soil, Plant, water and fertilizers are the major ingredients of interest in agriculture system. Analysis of soil, plant and water as natural resources is of utmost importance in regard to conservation strategies. The fertilizers are invariably used for supplying the nutrients to growing plants. They need characterization for their balanced and judicious use.

This manuscript is a compilation of some tested and widely used analytical method of characterizing soil, plant, water and fertilizers. The text presented in the book is sub-divided into nineteen chapters and four appendixes dealing with procedures of quantifying various physical and chemical properties of soil, water and fertilizers as well as chemical composition of plant material. Some analytical concepts related to soil microbiology and water biology have been dealt separately. The method given are described under four sub heads viz., Principle, materials, equipment, method and calculation. Brief explanations of the important steps have also been included. Modifications in the method and calculations are made wherever felt necessary for providing better understanding and clarity about the subject.

The technical information contained herein will prove useful to students, teachers, scientists and analysis studying/working in the field of biological an applied sciences, more specifically, in the fields of soil science, agronomy, horticulture, environmental science, plant science, geology, hydrology, microbiology and forestry. It will also prove as a tool for soil testing, quality control and research laboratories of related fields." (jacket)