AUTOMATED PLANT AND SOIL ANALYSIS
APPLICATIONS OF SEGMENTED-FLOW ANALYZERS FOR PLANT AND SOIL ANALYSIS
SFA methods for Plant and Soil Samples
- Aluminium
- Ammonia
- Amino acids
- Boron
- Calcium
- Carbohydrate
- Carbon (dissolved organic)
- Carbon (inorganic)
- Chloride
- Fluoride
- Iodine
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Nitrate
- Nitrite
- Nitrogen, total
- Phosphate
- Phosphorus, total
- Potassium
- Soluble carbohydrates
- Potassium
- Silicate
- Sodium
- Sulfate
In laboratories around the world the SEAL AutoAnalyzer 3, the pioneer of automated analysis, delivers fast, more accurate, routine analysis of soil and plant samples for nutrients and minerals. Results are calculated and printed automatically at 40 - 90 samples per hour, thus improving productivity and cost-effectiveness. The Seal QuAAtro provides high speed analysis to the largest laboratories.
SAMPLE PREPARATION
Soil
Samples are normally dried, screened to remove stones and ground before extraction. Many extraction procedures have been developed to provide an estimate of the soil's supply of nutrients available to crops. Some of the most common are dilute acid, calcium chloride, bicarbonate, ammonium acetate and electro-ultrafiltration (see References). Calibration standards are prepared in the sample extraction solution to ensure accurate results. Methods are available for all common sample preparation procedures. The automated soil methods can easily be adapted for plant and fertilizer analysis.
Ashing
Applications: P, Ca, Mg, Mn, K, Na, Al, B, Cu, Zn, Fe, I.
Samples are dried, normally at 105 °C, ground, and a representative sample, typically around 1g, is ashed at 500 - 550 °C. The cooled residue is dissolved in dilute acid and diluted to volume. Alkaline ashing is used prior to iodine determination to prevent loss of I2.
Acid Digestion
Applications: N, P, Ca, S.
Kjeldahl digestion is required for total N: P and Ca can be determined from the same digestate. Sulphur requires digestion with HNO3, HCl and/or HClO4, or dry ashing with Mg(NO3)2. Methods are available for all common sample preparation procedures; several are AOAC approved.
Soil and Plant Specific Multitest Methods
Specially developed for Plant and Soil analysis, these Seal Analytical multitest methods enable you to measure several different parameters with one analytical cartridge or manifold. When changing from one test to another only the reagents and the colorimeter filter need to be changed.
Use When Some Tests are Required Occasionally
Multitest methods are ideal for laboratories with small to medium workloads, or where some tests are required only occasionally, as there is no need to invest in a separate manifold for each chemistry.