Soil and Plant Analysis

Syllabus

Theory

Unit I

Soil analysis

Soil sampling – importance – methods and processing for analysis – soil structure and aggregate analysis – Theories and concepts of soil moisture estimation gravimetric, tensiometric, gypsum block, neutron probe and pressure plate methods – Hydraulic conductivity and measurement – soil air – exchange of air - ODR and measurement.

Unit II

Plant analysis

Plant sampling – importance – methods and processing for analysis. Leaf analysis standards, index tissue – interpretation of leaf analysis values – elemental composition of important horticultural crops.

Unit III

Instrumentation techniques

Instrumentation techniques – principle involved in measurement of pH and EC, redox potential – Spectrophotometer – Flame photometer – Atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Unit IV

Problem soils and management

Saline and alkali soils – genesis, characterization and management, Acid soils – genesis, characterization and management. Soil physical constraints – slow permeable, excessively permeable, surface crusting, sub soil hard pan etc and their management. Water logged soils – characterization and management.

Unit V

Quality of irrigation water

 Irrigation water quality – criteria – parameters – classification and management.

Practical

Collection and preparation of soil and plant sample for analysis. Determination of water holding capacity and hydraulic conductivity of soil. Estimation of moisture content in soils and plants. Determination of soil pH and EC. Estimation of CEC and ESP in soils. Estimation of available macro and micronutrients in soil and plant. Irrigation water quality analysis.