Hanna Instruments HI 3896 User Manual
HI 3896
HANNA Soiltest
Soil Test Handbook
Soil Science
and Management
www.hannainst.com
MAN3896R3 07/04
Index
SOIL AND PLANT LIFE ............................................................................................ 3
PHYSICAL STRUCTURE........................................................................................... 4
Allow the tube to stand for at least 5 minutes. The clearer the extract becomes the
better. However, some cloudiness will not affect the accuracy of the test.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION ....................................................................................... 5
pH .................................................................................................................... 5
Management of the soil in relationship to pH values ............................................. 7
Nutrients ........................................................................................................... 9
Fertilization ....................................................................................................... 9
SOIL ANALYSIS .................................................................................................... 13
Sampling ......................................................................................................... 13
Test procedure.................................................................................................. 14
Health & Safety ............................................................................................... 15
• Nitrogen (NO3) test
Use the pipette to transfer 2.5 ml of the clear general soil extract to a clean test
tube. [Pay attention not to transfer any soil. To avoid agitation of the soil, squeeze
the bulb of the pipette before inserting it into the soil extract solution.] Add the
content of one packet of HI3896-N reagent. Replace the cap and shake vigorously
for 30 seconds to dissolve the reagent. Allow the tube to stand for 30 seconds.
Match the pink color with the NO3 color-card, and note the NO3.
• Phosphorus (P2O5) test
Use the pipette to transfer 2.5 ml of the clear general soil extract to a clean test
tube. [Pay attention not to transfer any soil. To avoid agitation of the soil, squeeze
the bulb of the pipette before inserting it into the soil extract solution.] Add the
content of one packet of HI3896-P reagent. Replace the cap and shake vigorously
for 30 seconds to dissolve the reagent. Match the blue color with the P2O5 colorcard, and note the P2O5.
• Potassium (K2O) test
Use the pipette to add 0.5 ml of the clear general soil extract to a clean reaction
tube. [Pay attention not to transfer any soil. To avoid agitation of the soil, squeeze
the bulb of the pipette before inserting it into the soil extract solution.] Fill the tube
to the lower graduation mark (2.5 ml) with the HI3896 Extraction solution. Add
the content of one packet of HI3896-K reagent. Replace the cap and shake
vigorously for 30 seconds to dissolve the reagent. A blue color develops. Read the
TURBIDITY formed on the K2O reading-card as explained in the “Test Procedure”,
and note the K2O.
Note:Note:
Note: prolonged exposure to light may damage the colors of the comparing cards and
Note:Note:
cause them to shift or fade. Please store them out of light when not in use.
Health
& Safety
Contents
2
The chemicals contained in this test kit may be hazardous if improperly handled. Read carefully Health & Safety
Data Sheets before performing the tests. Keep your kit out of reach of children. Store it indoors in a clean, dry location.
Keep away from food, drink and animal feed. Always wash your hands thoroughly after making your tests.
Health and safety data sheets are available on line: www.hannainst.com
240 ml of HI 3896 Extraction solution; 100 ml of HI 3896 pH indicator reagent; 75 powder packets (25 each for N,
P and K); 3 pipettes (1 ml); 5 test tubes; 1 tube-stand; 1 spoon; 1 brush; 4 color cards; 1 graduated card; 1
handbook.
15
Test Procedure
4) Depth of extraction:
General: dig and discard the 5 cm (2") of topsoil
For lawns: take the sample at a depth of 5 to 15 cm (from 2" to 6").
For other plants (flowers, vegetables, shrubs): from 20 to 40 cm of depth (8" to 16")
For trees: Samples from 20 to 60 cm of depth (8" to 24'’).
5) Mix all the samples together to obtain a homogeneous mixture of soil.
6) From this mixture, take the quantity of dried soil that you need for the analysis,
discarding stones and vegetable residues.
1) Reading the color-card
– The pH, phosphorus (P2O5), and nitrogen (NO3) tests are colorimetric tests. During
the test a color is developed which corresponds with the fertility of the soil for e.g.
P2O5. To read the fertility, the color developed has to be compared with a colorcard.
To match the color, hold the tube with the test solution approximately 2 cm away
from the color-card. Stand with the light source behind the card and read: Trace,
Low, Medium or High. If the color of the test tube falls between two standard
colors, e.g. between Medium and High Report the test result as Medium-High.
Eight different readings are possible, Trace, Trace-Low, Low, Low-Medium, Medium,
Medium-High, High, and very-High.
– The potassium (K2O) test is a turbidimetric test. If potassium is present, turbidity
is formed. A blue color will also develop to help reading the test result.
To read the test result, hold the tube against the reading-card over the reading
area. Stand with the light source behind your back. Start at Trace, looking through
the tube, and go to Low, Medium or High until you just can see the white line in
the middle of the reading area. Report the reading only in Trace, Low, Medium or
High.
SOIL AND PLANT LIFE
Fig. 1. Fig. 1.
Fig. 1. Stratography of a
Fig. 1. Fig. 1.
natural soil (left) and of a
cultivated soil (right)
(L.Giardini)
Soil is very important for the plants. It is not merely a support system, but a complex world
from which the roots obtain water and other required elements. In addition, soil is
inhabited by small animals, insects, microorganisms (e.g. fungi and bacteria) which all
influence the plant life in one way or another.
One can talk about a soil evolution, that is, change in its characteristics based upon
climate, presence of animals and plants as well as man’s action. Therefore, a natural soil,
in which evolution is slow, is very different from a cultivated one.
Soil is composed of solids (minerals and organic matters), liquids (water and dissolved
substances), gases (mostly oxygen and carbon dioxide) and contains living organisms. All
these elements provide its physical and chemical properties.
Managing the soil properly is necessary in order to preserve its fertility, obtain better yield
and respect the environment. Testing the soil on the other hand is a must in order to
manage it properly.
14
2) Performing the tests
– pH test
Fill a reaction tube up to the lower graduation mark (2.5 ml) with the HI 3896 pH
indicator reagent (use the graduated card for the measure). Use the small spoon to
add six measures of soil sample. Replace the cap and shake gently for one minute.
Allow the tube to stand for 5 minutes (use the tube-stand). Match the color with
the pH color-card, and note the pH value.
– Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K)
• General Extraction procedure [for the P, N, and K tests]
Fill a reaction tube to the third graduation mark (7.5 ml) with the HI3896
Extraction solution. Use the small spoon to add the following: nine measures of soil
sample, in case of field soil testing; six measures of soil sample, in case of garden
soil testing.
Replace the cap and shake gently for one minute.
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