Interpreting Result Of Soil Testing | Multi Skill Foundation - Grade 10 PDF Download

 Page 1


 
 
               
 
 
    
 
SESSION 3: INTERPRETING RESULT OF SOIL 
TESTING 
 
 
Use of fertilizers is very important for the bumper crop yield. Crops receive 
essential nutrients from the soil.  Out of these nutrients, crops require nitrogen, 
phosphorus, and potash in large quantities. So, their percentage in the soil 
changes always. For testing the quantity of nutrients essential for the crops, and 
the percentage of lack of them, i.e. for testing the fertility of soil, different 
physical, chemical and biological methods like soil testing, crop analysis, growth 
of organisms, etc. are there. In these testing methods, soil and plant samples are 
taken and tested in the laboratory or inspection and experiments are done in the 
farm itself. 
 Testing of soil samples indicates which nutrients are deficient in the soil 
and whether the soil is suitable for growth of crops or not. Also, the relation 
between soil testing and crop yield indicates the percentage of nutrients received 
by the crops from the soil and the amount of nutrients needed to supply from 
outside.  
 From testing, the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil are 
understood. Accordingly, if required organic fertilizers, bio fertilizers and chemical 
fertilizers are provided in integrated way, the health of the soil can be maintained. 
 
Objectives: - 
· To understand the necessity of soil testing 
· To understand the information about the essential nutrients for plant growth 
· To study the detailed concept of the method of identifying the pH of soil using 
soil testing 
The care and precautions to be taken while testing the soil: - 
1. While handling the soil testing kit, take care that the chemicals do not spill on 
the soil. 
2. Use dropper wherever it is instructed to be 
used. 
3. While handling acid, take care that it does 
not spill. 
4. Follow all the instructions given in the 
user guide. 
 
Method of taking a sample: - 
1. The tools used for collecting samples e.g. 
spade, hoe, ghamela, sickle should be 
clean. 
2. The soil sample should be collected after 
harvesting of crops but before next ploughing. Fig 16 - Soil sample  
3. If chemical fertilizers are given to the crop, do not collect sample from the 
respective soil, for three months.