Soil Sampling, Preparation, and Analysis

Principles of Soil Sampling. Sample Preparation. Errors and Variability, and Chemical Units of Soil Analysis. Methods of Soil Chemical Analysis. Soil and Plant Test. Determination of Soil Water. Determination of Soil Texture. Determination of Soil Density and Porosity. Soil Ph Measurement and Lime Requirement. Cation Exchange Capacity and  % Base Saturation Determination. Determination of Macroelements. Determination of Microelements. Determination of Soil Organic Matter. Spectrophotometry and Colorimetry. Flame Photometry. Infrared Spectroscopy. X-Ray Diffraction Analysis. Differential Thermal Analysis. Scanning Electron Microscopy and Edax. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Appendices: Fundamental Constants; Greek Alphabet; Atomic Weights of the Major Elements; X-Ray Diffraction 2 D-Spacing Conversion Table; US Weights and Measures; International System of Units (SI) and Conversion Factors. References and Additional Readings.