LaMotte 1055 User Manual

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Student Instructions

SOIL PO TAS SIUM

DEM ON STRA TION TEST KIT

CODE 5532/5657

CON TENTS CODE

Po tas sium Ex tracting So lu tion 5707
Po tas sium In di ca tor Tab lets 5708
Po tas sium Test So lu tion 5709
High Fer til ity Soil 5724
Color Chart, Po tas sium, End point 1352
Test Tube, 1-8 mL, plas tic, w/cap 0755
Pipet, trans fer 0364
Spoon, 0.5g, plas tic 0698
Soil Sam ple Bag 0615
In struc tion Man ual
A Study of Soil Sci ence 1530
Soil Anal y sis Sheets 1582

*WARNING: Reagents marked with an * are considered hazardous substances.
To view or print a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for these reagents see
MSDS CD or our web site. To obtain a printed copy, contact us by e-mail,
phone, or fax.

To order individual reagents or test kit components, use the specified code
number.

IN TRO DUC TION

The importance of phosphorus to plant life has been outlined in the
accompanying handbook, A Study of Soil Science. In this exercise the
student will:

A. Study the color reaction of High Fertility Soil (5724) which contains

a high potassium content.

B. Test a soil sample of unknown value to determine if potassium is

present and if so, determine the relative level of potassium that is
contained in the sample. The soil sample used may be furnished by
the instructor, or may be collected and prepared by the student.

PRO CE DURE

1. Fill a test tube (0755) to line 8 with Potassium Extracting Solution

(5707).

2. Use the 0.5 g spoon (0698) to add two measures of the soil sample to
the test tube (0755). Cap and gently shake for one minute.

3. Without removing the cap, allow the tube to stand undisturbed until
the soil particles settle and the liquid layer above the soil becomes
clear.

4. Use the pipet (0364) to fill the second test tube to line 5 with clear
solution. To accomplish this, squeeze the bulb of the pipet before
insertion in test tube containing the soil and extracting solution.
After insertion release the pressure on the bulb and “draw-up” a
portion of the clear extracting solution. Transfer to the second test
tube. Continue to transfer clear soil extract in this manner until the
level of solution is even with line 5 of the second test tube.

5. Add one Potassium Indicator Tablet (5708). Cap and shake until
dissolved. What is the color of the solution?

6. Carefully add five drops of Potassium Test Solution (5709). Cap and
mix. Did the liquid in the test tube change to a blue color similar to
the color chart? If so, a very high level of potassium is present in the
soil sample. If not, continue to add the Potassium Test Solution five
drops at a time, mixing between the addition of each 5 drops, until a
color change is noted.

NUMBER OF DROPS POTASSIUM LEVEL

10 drops or less High

10 to 20 drops Medium

20 drops or more Low

At what potassium level did the color change?

LaMOTTE COM PANY

Helping Peo ple Solve An a lyt i cal Chal lenges

PO Box 329 • Chestertown • Mary land • 21620 • USA

800-344-3100 • 410-778-3100 (Out side U.S.A.) • Fax: [phone]

Visit us on the web at www.lamotte.com

®

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