The study of Soil properties and their analysis deals with the application of principles of various disciplines in Soil Science research. It is imperative to have a detailed information on the protocols for accurate measurement of different properties of soil to devise methodologies to optimize the soil physico-chemical environment, soil fertility status and soil biological properties for sustainable agricultural production. Keeping this in mind, laboratory manual is designed as an aid to teach laboratory exercises of the basic Soil Science courses for under-graduate, postgraduate and Doctoral programme courses are being offered in the Division of Soil Science. These courses deal with both theoretical and practical aspects of soil science. There was a long felt need to provide a comprehensive practical manual on measurement of different soil parameters as per need based course curriculum for the under-graduates, post-graduate students, scientists and research scholars working on this piece. This manual is primarily based on the contents of Soil Science courses included in the curriculum of the Rajmata Vijayaraje Sciendiya Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Gwalior, M.P. This manual provides a description of the compound experimental procedures through a simple, easy-tounderstand step-by step manner with good illustrations and samples. I am sure that the manual will be useful to the various disciplines of Soil Science students working on soil physico-chemical, soil fertility, soil biology and soil pollution aspect at RVSKVV and State Agricultural Universities as well as to other personnel engaged in Soil Science research and teaching. The authors justify greetings for their effort in bringing out this useful manual.
Dr. Priyadarshani A. Khambalkar has graduated from Anandan Niketan College of Agriculture, Warora, Dr. PDKV, Akola, Maharashtra. She did her post-graduation in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry with specialization in Land Resource Management from Dr. PDKV Akola in association with ICAR-NBSS & LUP. She has completed her doctorate from RVSKVV, CoA, Gwalior, M.P. in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry and has awarded by gold medal. She has qualified ASRBNET and appeared for interview ICAR-ARS. She is the recipient of Young Scientist Award of Society for Scientific and Social Development (2017). She has been awarded Excellent Teaching Award (2019) by Academy for Environment & Life Sciences. She is actively engaged in teaching since last 6 years. She has published more than 15 research papers in NAAS related journals, and given her contribution in 5 technical bulletins, 4 books chapters and two ISBN edited books.
Dr. (Smt.) Shashi S. Yadav is a permanent resident of village Mangrouth, District Hamirpur (U.P.) She has graduated from Agriculture College, Nagpur, Dr. P.D.K.V. Akola. Thereafter, she did her M.Sc. (Ag.) in Soil Science with specialization in Land Resource Management from Dr. P.D.V.K. Akola in collaboration with ICAR-NBSS & LUP, Nagpur, Maharashtra and Ph.D. in Soil Science from MPUA & T, Udaipur. She has received ICAR JRF for M.Sc. (Ag.) and SRF for Ph.D. (Ag.) in Soil Science, passed ICAR- NET in Soil Science-Pedology in 1997. She is actively engaged in teaching, research and extension since last 11 years. She is the recipient of Young Scientist Award in 2016 and Best Teacher Award in 2018 by Academy for Environment & Life Science. Her area of interest of research is Soil Science-Pedology. She has published more than 25 research papers in NAAS related journals, 8 technical bulletins 8 chapters in edited books and one ISBN edited book.
Dr. Akhilesh Singh has graduated in Agricultural Engineering from Allahabad Agricultural Institute, Allahabad, Post-graduate and Doctorate in Soil and Water Engineering from JNKVV, Jabalpur, he has more than 17 years’ experience in teaching and research in Natural Resource Management aspects. Presently he is working at Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Gwalior as a Scientist (Agril. Engg.), he has published more than 24 research papers in NAAS rated journal, 12 technical bulletins/ practical manuals, four ISBN edited books and one ISBN practical book, more than 5 book chapters in ISBN books and one book chapter in Springer Nature edited book.
Dr. S.K. Trivedi is Professor and Head in the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Gwalior (M.P.). He did M.Sc. (Ag) in the year 1982 from JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P.) and Ph.D. in the year 1994 from Jiwaji University, Gwalior (M.P.). He has specialization in Nutrient Management in Plant Nutrition. He is actively engaged in teaching, research and extension since last 35 years. He has guided near about 30 M.Sc. (Ag) and 5 Ph.D. student. He has published 46 research papers in pioneerjournals. Besides these he is having important responsibilities of college, such as I/c of academic cell, placement cell, cultural programme, coordinator of ELP programme, member of disciplinary committee and chairmen of college purchasing committee. Recipient of INDIRA GANDHI PRIYADARSHINI AWARD-2015 for outstanding achievement and Crop Research Award. He is also President of Gwalior Chapter of Indian Society of Soil Science.
Dr. Narendra S. Gurjar has graduated from College of Agriculture, Gwalior, JNKVV, Jabalapur, M.P. He did his post-graduation in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry with specialization in Soil Microbiology from College of Agriculture, Gwalior, JNKVV, Jabalpur, M.P. He completed his doctorate from RVSKVV, CoA, Gwalior, M.P. in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry. He is the recipient of Scientist Associate Award of Society of Human Resource and Innovation (2017). He has been awarded with Young Scientist award (2017) by Astha Foundation. He is actively engaged in teaching since last 5 years. He has published more than 08 research papers in NAAS related journals
Chapter-I: Soil Testing and its Importance, Soil Sample Collection, Processing and Handling in Laboratory ........................................................ 1
1. Why Soil Test is Important?................................................... 1
Chapter-II: Soil Physical Test................................................................. 3
2. Determination of Particle Size by Hydrometer Method ............................................................... 3
3. Determination of Waterholding Capacity (saturation moisture percentage).......................................... 8
4. Determination of Bulk Density – Weighing bottle, Core and Clod Method ............................................ 10
5. Determination of Particle Density ...................................... 14
6. Determination of Soil Porosity ............................................ 15
7. Determination of Soil Moisture Content: Gravimetric Method .............................................................. 16
Chapter-III: Soil Chemical Tests ......................................................... 17
8. Determination of Soil Reaction pH .................................... 17
9. Determination of Electrical Conductivity (EC) ................ 20
10. Determination of Soil Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) ................................................... 22
Chapter-IV: Soil Organic and Inorganic Carbon Tests.................. 25
11. Determination of Soil Organic Matter (SOM) by Walkley and Black Method ....................... 25
12. Determination of Soil Organic Matter (SOM) by Weight Loss on Ignition (LOI) Procedure ..........28
13. Determination of Particulates Organic Matter ................ 30
14. Determination of Soil Organic Carbon Pools by Modified Walkely Black Method as Described by Chan et al., 2001 .................................................................... 31
15. Determination of Soil Microbial Biomass Carbon ........... 32
16. Determination of Calcium Carbonate (free lime) in Soil .................................................................... 35
17. Determination of Carbonates and Bicarbonates.............. 39
Chapter-V: Available Soil and Plant Nutrients Test...................... 41
18. Determination of Available (Mineralization) Nitrogen in Soil by Alkaline Permanganate Method ......................................................... 41
19. Determination of Total Nitrogen in Soil and Plant ......... 44
20. Determination of Phosphorus in Soil and Plant .............. 48
21. Determination of Potassium in Soil and Plant ................. 52
22. Determination of Sulphur in Soil and Plant ..................... 55
23. Determination of Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn in Soils and Plants by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer........... 57
Chapter-VI: Soil Biological Tests ........................................................ 61
24. Isolation and Enumeration of Micro-organisms from Soil by the Serial Dilution-agar Planting Method (or viable plate count method) ............................................ 61
25. Determination of Soil Organic Carbon Pools ................... 65
26. Determination of Microbial Biomass Carbon ................... 65
27. Determination of Soil Microbial Biomass N...................... 66
28. Determination of Dehydrogenase Activity ....................... 69
Chapter-VII: Polluted Samples Analysis .......................................... 71
29. Experiment: Preservation & Collection of Samples ......... 71
30. Determination of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) ...................................................................... 76
31. Determination of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) ..................................................................... 79
32. Determination of Total Suspended Solid .......................... 81
33. Determination of Total Dissolved Solids ........................... 82
34. Determination of pH of Polluted Water Sample.............. 83
35. Determination of EC of Polluted Water Sample .............. 84
36. Determination of Soil Pollutants (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb) ........... 85
37. Determination of DTPA Extraction for Cd and Ni ......................................................................... 88
Chapter-VIII: Laboratory Help ............................................................ 91
38. Analytical Chemistry ............................................................ 91
