Soil Testing

Soil testing is the process of examining soil to find out its characteristics, such as colour, texture, and the amount of organic matter it contains. Through soil testing, we can determine if the soil lacks any important nutrients and figure out how to fix these deficiencies.

Sorensen, a Danish scientist, introduced the concept of pH, which is used to determine the acidity or alkalinity of soil.

A. Steps for Soil Testing

• A sample of soil is collected and dried in the shade for 8 to 10 days.
• The dried soil is then sifted using a sieve to remove larger particles and prepare it for testing.

B. Important Soil Tests

1. pH Test: This test checks how acidic or alkaline the soil is by measuring the concentration of hydrogen ions. A mixture of soil and water (in a 1:2 ratio) is tested with indicators to determine the pH level. The pH of soil tells us the following:

• Acidic Soil: pH less than 6.5
• Neutral Soil: pH between 6.5 and 7.5
• Alkaline Soil: pH higher than 7.5

2. Electrical Conductivity Test: This test helps to find out the ability of the soil to conduct electricity, which gives an idea about the nutrients and salts present in the soil.