User manual HANNA INSTRUMENTS HI 3896

[. . . ] HI 3896 HANNA Soiltest Soil Test Handbook Soil Science and Management www. hannainst. com MAN3896R3 07/04 Index SOIL AND PLANT LIFE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 PHYSICAL STRUCTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 CHEMICAL COMPOSITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 pH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [. . . ] Use the small spoon to add six measures of soil sample. Replace the cap and shake gently for one minute. Allow the tube to stand for 5 minutes (use the tube-stand). Match the color with the pH color-card, and note the pH value. ­ Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K) · General Extraction procedure [for the P, N, and K tests] Fill a reaction tube to the third graduation mark (7. 5 ml) with the HI3896 Extraction solution. Use the small spoon to add the following: nine measures of soil sample, in case of field soil testing; six measures of soil sample, in case of garden soil testing. Replace the cap and shake gently for one minute. Fig. Stratography of a natural soil (left) and of a cultivated soil (right) (L. Giardini) 14 3 PHYSICAL STRUCTURE The physical structure of the soil depends on the dimension of the particles of its make up (Tab. In addition, the particles also differ based on their shape and volumic mass (mass per unit of volume) Tab. Particles classification according to "International Society of Soil Science" (ISSS) DIAMETER OF THE PARTICLES (mm) >2 2 - 0. 2 0. 2 - 0. 02 0. 02 - 0. 002 < 0. 002 CLASSIFICATION stony texture coarse sand fine sand silt clay Tab. 7. CROP Apple SOIL CONTENT N very low low medium medium-high high very high very low low medium medium-high high very high very low low medium medium-high high very high very low low medium medium-high high very high 150 130 110 90 80 70 150 120 100 90 80 70 200 160 140 120 100 80 150 130 110 90 80 70 ADVISED DOSES (kg/ha) P2O5 K2O 120 90 70 50 40 20 90 70 60 40 30 20 120 90 70 50 40 20 120 90 70 50 40 20 230 150 120 90 60 40 230 180 150 120 90 60 230 150 120 90 60 40 230 150 120 90 60 40 Grape Soil is divided into many classes of texture, according to the percentage of the basic particles (clay, sand and silt). If, for example, we have a soil with 37% clay, 38% sand and 25% silt, the soil is classified as "clay loam" (Fig. Types of soil in relation to the texture Peach Pear (data ESAV) SOIL ANALYSIS The soil analysis is very useful, in order to plan fertilization and to know the residues of fertilizers in relation to the crop, tillage and climate. An analysis can highlight shortages and help the understanding of the causes of an abnormal growth. Testing the soil during the crop cycle and comparing the results with the plant growth can be an useful experiment for the next cultivation. 1) Extracting Soil Sample ­ With a large field, take 1 or 2 samples per 1000 m2 (0. 25 acre) of homogeneous areas. ­ Even for smaller areas, 2 samples are recommended (the more the samples, the better the end-results, because the sample is more representative) ­ For a small garden or plot, 1 sample is sufficient 2) Avoid extracting samples from soil presenting obvious anomalies 3) Sample quantity: Take the same quantity of soil for each sample. For example, use bags with similar dimensions (1 bag per sample) 13 Sampling Among different types of soil, the loam soil is considered as being suitable for crop growth. However, other types of soil, with a rational management, can also provide positive results. The soil texture is the cause of important aspects such as porosity, tenacity, adhesivity and plasticity. 4 Tab. 7. CROP Asparagus SOIL CONTENT very low low medium medium-high high very high very low low medium medium-high high very high very low low medium medium-high high very high very low low medium medium-high high very high very low low medium medium-high high very high very low low medium medium-high high very high very low low medium medium-high high very high very low low medium medium-high high very high ADVISED DOSES (kg/ha) N P2O5 K2O 160 120 100 90 80 70 140 110 90 80 70 60 340 300 280 260 240 220 300 270 240 230 210 200 0 0 0 0 0 0 160 120 100 90 80 70 150 130 110 90 80 70 180 160 150 140 130 120 120 100 70 50 40 20 130 90 70 50 40 30 200 150 120 90 60 40 200 150 120 90 60 40 150 130 100 80 60 40 150 130 100 80 60 40 250 180 150 120 90 60 150 100 80 60 50 40 180 150 130 110 90 80 170 120 80 60 50 40 230 150 120 90 60 46 230 150 120 90 60 40 220 170 130 100 80 60 230 180 150 120 90 60 250 200 150 120 90 60 170 120 80 60 50 40 Barley Corn silage Maize Porosity is important for the exchange of gases and liquids. Micro-porosity (porous < 2 10 µm) permits water to be retained while macro-porosity (porous > 10 µm) contributes to a fast circulation of air and water. [. . . ] Also in this case, a cost evaluation is necessary. Quantities provide the same result as 100 Kg of gypsum Soil ameliorants (pure compounds) Calcium chloride: CaCl2 · 2H2O Sulfuric acid: H2SO4 Sulfur: S Iron sulfate: Fe2(SO4)3 · 7H2O Aluminum sulfate: Al2(SO4)3 Quantity (Kg) 85 57 19 162 129 7 10 Tab. 4. Range of preferred pH PLANTS ORCHARD Apple Apricot Cherry Grapefruit Grapevine Lemon Nectarine Orange Peach Pear Plum Pomegranate Walnut pH 5-6. 5 6-7 6-7. 5 6-7. 5 6-7 6-7 6-7. 5 5-7 6-7. 5 6-7. 5 6-7. 5 5. 5-6. 5 6-8 PLANTS Acacia Acanthus Amaranth Bougainvillea Dahlia Erica Euphorbia Fuchsia Gentian Gladiolus Hellebore Hyacinth Iris Juniper Ligustrum Magnolia Narcissus Oleander Peony Paulownia Portulaca Primula Rhododendron Roses Sedum Sunflower Tulip Viola pH 6-8 6-7 6-6. 5 5. 5-7. 5 6-7. 5 4. 5-6 6-7 5. 5-7. 5 5-7. 5 6-7 6-7. 5 6. 5-7. 5 5-6. 5 5-6. 5 5-7. 5 5-6 6-8, 5 6-7. 5 6-7. 5 6-8 5. 5-7. 5 6-7. 5 4. 5-6 5. 5-7 6-7. 5 6-7. 5 6-7 5. 5-6. 5 5. 5-6. 5 6-7 5-6 5-6 4. 5-6 5. 5-7. 5 4. 5-5. 5 5-6 6-7 5-6 5-6 6-7. 5 5-6 6-8 6-8 5. 5-7 6-7. 5 5-7 4. 5-5. 5 6-7. 5 5-6 5-6 6-7. 5 Nutrients GARDEN PLANTS AND FLOWERS The three elements that are most needed by plants are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). This is the reason why they are called macronutrients and should be given to the plants. [. . . ]