Soil-Plant-Water Analysis: A Complete Knowledge

The idea for this soil, plant and water analysis manual grew out of the Soil Test Calibration Program within the region’s national agricultural programs that laid the basis for sound fertilizer recommendations. If soil and plant tests are not reliable, the process of sampling and analysis is meaningless and undermines the validity of any agronomic trials. As no essential element can substitute for another, it is critically important to identify where and when such deficiencies occur. That’s where the role of soil and plant analysis comes in. Techniques have been developed to evaluate soil fertility constraints based on soil chemical extraction and analysis of the plants that grow on such soils. Both are complementary and, when calibrated with field crop responses to fertilizer, provide a rational basis to identify what elements are missing, and how much fertilizer, whether organic or inorganic, to apply. Therefore, soil and plant analysis laboratories have a vital role in agricultural development.