Soil and Plant Analysis

Schedule

Theory schedule

1. Soil sampling, importance, methods of sampling and processing of soil samples.
2. Soil structure, classification and aggregate analysis
3. Theories and concepts of soil moisture estimation - gravimetric, tensiometer, gypsum block, neutron probe and pressure plate methods
4. Hydraulic conductivity, Darcy’s law and determination of hydraulic conductivity.
5. Soil air and its composition. Gaseous exchange and measurement of ODR
6. Plant sampling, importance, methods of sampling and processing of plant samples.
7. Leaf analysis, standards and index tissues of different crops and interpretation of leaf analytical values.
8. Chemical and mineral composition of important horticultural crops
9. Principles and measurement of pH, EC and redox potential
10. Principle and operation of spectrophotometer and Flame photometer
11. Principle and operation of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer
12. Genesis, characterization and management of saline and sodic soils
13. Genesis, characterization and management of acid soils
14. Soil physical constrains, excessive and slow permeable soils, surface crusting and sub surface hard pan and their management.
15. Genesis, characterization and management of water logged soils
16. Quality of irrigation waters, criteria and parameters used for judgement
17. Classifications of irrigation water and management of poor quality irrigation waters

Practical schedule

1. Collection and preparation of soil samples for analysis
2. Estimation of moisture content in soil and plant by gravimetric method
3. Determination of hydraulic conductivity in soils
4. Determination of water holding capacity of soils
5. Determination of soil pH and EC
6. Estimation of cation exchange capacity and ESP -I (Class)
7. Estimation of cation exchange capacity and ESP II (Class)
8. Estimation of Available nitrogen in soil
9. Estimation of Available phosphorus in soil
10. Estimation of Available potassium in soil
11. Estimation of Available Fe, Mn, Zn and Copper in soil by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer
12. Estimation of nitrogen in plant sample
13. Estimation of phosphorus and potassium in plant sample
14. Estimation of Fe, Mn, Zn and Copper in plant sample using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer
15. Estimation of anions in irrigation water sample
16. Estimation of cations in irrigation water sample
17. Quality assessment of irrigation waters.