(9.00E+01)

CaCl2 extractable B - colorimetric (12C1)

The soil is extracted with boiling 0.01M Cacl2 solution at a 1:2 soil:solution ratio for 10 mins.  It is then quickly filtered to avoid any re-fixation of the solubilised B.  The extract is then analysed colorimetrically for B using Azomethine-H.

Exchangeable Bases - Ammonium Acetate (15D3)

Exchangeable bases - 1M ammonium acetate at pH 7.0.

This rapid method for exchangeable cations in non-saline acidic through to slightly alkaline soils has no pre-treatment for soluble salts. It should yield similar data to those of method 15A1, except it can overestimate exchangeable Ca in soils containing calcium carbonate.

DTPA Trace Elements (12A1)

Soils are extracted with 0.005M DTPA, at a 1:2 soil:solution ratio, and shaken for 2 hr at 25^oC.  Analytical finish is either ICP-AES or Flame AAS.

pH: 1:5 SOIL:0.01M CaCL₂ Suspension (4B1)

This pH test on milled air-dry sample is suitable for use on all soils, irrespective of whether acidic or alkaline. Values are usually unaffected by fertilisation prior to sampling, as changes to the soil’s ionic strength is masked by the calcium chloride. Code 4B1 indicates direct use of 0.01M CaCl₂, at a soil/solution ratio of 1:5, with mechanical shaking for 1 h prior to pH measurement using calibrated electrodes positioned in the unstirred supernatant after settling of the suspension. Code 4B2 provides a similar measurement outcome but relies on the addition of 0.21M CaCl₂ to a 1:5 soil/water suspension to achieve 0.01M CaCl₂ prior to measurement of pH as for 4B1. Codes 4B3 and 4B4 are identical to 4B1 and 4B2, respectively, except the soil/CaCl₂ suspensions are stirred during measurement. Method 4B5 codes for an MIR surrogate measurement. There is merit in separate use of both water and calcium chloride to measure soil pH.

pH of 1:5 soil/water suspension (4A1)