Soil analysis: a review

Abstract

This paper reviews most aspects of soil analysis, with particular emphasis on soil chemical testing in Australia. Water quality, sample contamination, and the effects of soil drying, soil storage, and particle size are recognised as important components in the laboratory preparation of soil samples for analysis. The subsequent effects of choice of soil to solution ratio, leaching v. equilibration, soil shaking equipment, and the choice of extracting and digesting solutions are reviewed with examples.The review includes an overview of key chemical soil tests including pH, electrical conductivity, chloride, phosphate, sulfur, exchangeable cations, and cation exchange capacity. There is an examination of field v. laboratory tests and comment on analytical quality assurance. The recent release of the Australian Laboratory Handbook of Soil and Water Chemical Methods and the emerging activities of the Australian Soil and Plant Analysis Council should ensure the direction of soil testing in Australia remains positive.