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Roots ofPeace SOIL TESTING 1 Soil testing PERENNIAL CROP SUPPORT SERIESJALALABAD, AFGHANISTANPublication No. 2008-001-AFGFebruary 8, 2008 Roots ofPeace SOIL TESTING 2 This manual was produced by Roots of Peace under USAID subcontract No. GS-10F-0359M, Task Order #306-M-00-05-00515-00, Afghanistan Alternative LivelihoodsProgram for the Eastern Region. It was written by Ferenc Sandor of Roots of Peace,with support from Juan Estrada of DAI for the use by Roots of Peace and Ministry ofAgriculture, Irrigation and Livestock extension agents, farmers, agriculture inputsuppliers and other teachers. The work was funded by USAID under the AlternativeLivelihoods Program, Eastern Region which is managed by Development Alternatives,Inc. (DAI). For more information, contact Roots of Peace
[email protected]+1 415 455 8008.Roots of Peace is a humanitarian, not-for-profit organization based in California, USA.Roots of Peace, established in 1997, focuses on post-conflict countries to eradicateremnants of war and to re-establish and promote economic livelihoods and socialprograms. Roots of Peace is funded by public and private sources. First published in Afghanistan in 2008 by Roots of Peace. Contents may bereproduced without approval for not-for-profit activities provided appropriaterecognition of author, artist and photographers is included in the document. Any for-profit application of these materials must be approved by Roots of Peace in writingprior to use. Roots ofPeace SOIL TESTING 3 Table of Contents Introduction....................................................................................................................5 Soil Profile.................................................................................................................5 Soil Properties...........................................................................................................6 Physical Properties of Soil.....................................................................................6 Chemical Properties of Soil...................................................................................8 Biological Properties of Soil...................................................................................9 Testing Soil..................................................................................................................10 Sampling Procedure................................................................................................10 Soil Sampling Designs.........................................................................................10 Taking Soil Samples............................................................................................12 Testing Soil Physical Properties..............................................................................14 Soil Color Test.....................................................................................................14 Existence of Coarse Fragments..........................................................................15 Soil Texture Analysis...........................................................................................16 Soil Consistence Test..........................................................................................23 Soil Structure Test...............................................................................................23 Bulk Density Test.................................................................................................24 Particle Density (Real density) Test.....................................................................26 Soil Porosity Test.................................................................................................27 Soil Moisture Tests..............................................................................................28 Interpretation of Soil Test Results for Physical Properties.......................................31 Soil Color.............................................................................................................31 Existence of Coarse Fragments..........................................................................32 Soil Texture..........................................................................................................32 Soil Consistence..................................................................................................34 Soil Structure.......................................................................................................35 Bulk Density.........................................................................................................36 Particle Density....................................................................................................36 Soil Porosity.........................................................................................................37 Soil Moisture Analysis..........................................................................................38 Testing Soil Chemical Properties.............................................................................38 La Motte Soil Test Kit...........................................................................................39 HACH NPK-1 Soil Test Kit...................................................................................42 Free Carbonate Test............................................................................................46 Soil Conductivity and Salinity...............................................................................47 Interpretation of Soil Test Results for Chemical Properties.....................................47 Available Nitrate-Nitrogen Content Analysis........................................................48 Available Phosphorus Content Analysis..............................................................49 Exchangeable Potassium Content Analysis........................................................50 pH Test Analysis..................................................................................................51 Soil Conductivity and Salinity Analysis................................................................52 Free Carbonate Test Analysis.............................................................................55 Recommendations for Soil Management....................................................................55 Granular Structured Soil......................................................................................55 Blocky and Prismatic and Columnar Structured Soils.........................................57 Un-structured Soils..............................................................................................57 Sandy Textured Soil............................................................................................58 Loam Textured Soil..............................................................................................58 Clay Textured Soil...............................................................................................59 Alkalinity, Sodicity, Salinity..................................................................................59 Organic Matter Status..........................................................................................65 Roots ofPeace SOIL TESTING 4 Recommendations for Soil Nutrient Management...................................................67 Animal Manure Application..................................................................................70 Mineral Fertilizer Application................................................................................73 Annex 1 – Soil Sampling Protocol................................................................................77 Annex 2 – Soil Testing Protocol...................................................................................79 Annex 3 – Equations....................................................................................................81 Annex 4 – Conversion table.........................................................................................83 Glossary of terms.........................................................................................................84 Tables..........................................................................................................................95 Figures.........................................................................................................................96 References...................................................................................................................97
