in water we have to check pH, EC, TDS, BOD. COD, Havy metals, and many other things. what is the parameter of soil sample and reference value from guide line.
In soil we need to know various soil parameters like void ratio, water content, unit weight and specific gravity. also, the important engineering parameters are permeability, compression index, shear strength etc. I suggest you to read any soil mechanics books for further understanding.
Soil testing is often performed by commercial labs that offer a variety of tests, targeting groups of compounds and minerals. The advantages associated with local lab is that they are familiar with the chemistry of the soil in the area where the sample was taken. This enables technicians to recommend the tests that are most likely to reveal useful information.
📷Soil testing in progress
Laboratory tests often check for plant nutrients in three categories:
- Major nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)
- Secondary nutrients: sulfur, calcium, magnesium
- Minor nutrients: iron, manganese, copper, zinc, boron, molybdenum, chlorine
Do-it-yourself kits usually only test for the three "major nutrients", and for soil acidity or pH level. Do-it-yourself kits are often sold at farming cooperatives, university labs, private labs, and some hardware and gardening stores. Electrical meters that measure pH, water content, and sometimes nutrient content of the soil are also available at many hardware stores. Laboratory tests are more accurate than tests with do-it-yourself kits and electrical meters. Here is an example soil sample report from one laboratory.
Soil testing is used to facilitate fertilizer composition and dosage selection for land employed in both agricultural and horticultural industries.
Prepaid mail-in kits for soil and ground water testing are available to facilitate the packaging and delivery of samples to a laboratory. Similarly, in 2004, laboratories began providing fertilizer recommendations along with the soil composition report.
Lab tests are more accurate, though both types are useful. In addition, lab tests frequently include professional interpretation of results and recommendations. Always refer to all proviso statements included in a lab report as they may outline any anomalies, exceptions, and shortcomings in the sampling and/or analytical process/results.
Of course, it depends on your purposes.
But I would say some of the most universal descriptors are pH, texture, and organic matter content.
Also, natural soils are classified in the way analogous to biological organisms. If you are able to determine the type of soil, it tells your readers a lot about the properties of that soil. You must be careful, however, because soil maps are sometimes general and may not describe the actual soil you are considering.
I found a **very general** soil map of Bangladesh here: http://en.banglapedia.org/images/thumb/4/46/SoilDetail.jpg/400px-SoilDetail.jpg .
thank you.but i need a guideline with standard value of soil parameter.
In order to discuss standard values for soil parameters, you would need to be specific as to which parameter you are interested in, probably one at a time.
Also, you need to be specific as to what the use is of the soil. Desirable parameters for a soil you want to build a house on is entirely different than what is desirable for farming. And even different crops have different requirements.
There is a lot of soil such as pH, Ec , CEC, exchangble ions , O.M% , texture , real and apperant density , p.w , etc
The purpose for which the study results is intended to provide should determine the soil parameters of interest. If one is a student, and would like to study soils characteristics, then there could be endless parameters to look into, which pH being a candidate. However, a structural engineer interested in strength of soils, many other parameters would be candidate, as given by earlier by other colleagues.
Actually my intention to know nutrition value of soil from standard guideline.
It hinges on your objectives. Can you please provide a little bit more details?
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