SOIL AND PLANT ANALYSIS (1+1)

Preparation of soil sample for analysis

Steps involved in the preparation and processing of soil sample are DryingGrinding


• Sieving
• Storing


The soil sample received at the laboratory is air-dried in shade and spread on a sheet of paper after breaking large lumps, if present, with a wooden mallet. It is further ground by pounding with a wooden mallet in such a way that the aggregate particles are broken down to ultimate soil particles. The soil thus prepared is sieved through a sieve with round holes, 2 mm in diameter. The material on the sieve is again ground and sieved till all aggregate particles are fine enough to pass through and only stones and organic residues remain on the sieve. For micronutrients analysis nylon sieve should be used. Mix well the ‘fine soil’ got by sieving and store in a suitable bottle or container with one label on the outside and another inside the container.