Soil analysis report and its components
Soil as a medium for plant growth can be described as a complex natural material derived from weathering of rocks and decomposition of organic materials, which provide nutrients, moisture and anchorage for plants. Soil is a mixture of minerals, organic matter (humus), air and water.
Soil Physical Properties
- Soil Colour
- Soil Structure
- Soil texture
- Soil organic matter
- Soil organism
Chemical Properties
- Soil pH – Soil pH is a relative measure of the hydrogen ion concentration (H+) in the soil. The pH value can vary from a minimum value of 0 to a maximum value of 14.
- Acidic: pH less than 7
- Neutral: pH = 7
- Alkaline: pH greater than 7
- Cation Exchange Capacity – Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is a measure of the total amount of exchangeable cations (positively charged ions) a soil can adsorb.
- Soils with low CEC (1 to 10) have high sand content and low water-holding capacity. They require less lime to correct a given pH, and leaching of nitrogen and potassium is more likely.
- Soils with high CEC (15 to 40) have high clay or humus content and high water-holding capacity. They require more lime to correct a given pH and have a greater capacity to hold nutrients.
- Anion Retention in Soils – Anions are negatively charged ions. They are retained by positively charged surfaces in the soil, but only in negligible amounts.