Soil pH Test Kit
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WARNING! This set contains chemicals
that may be harmful if misused. Read
cautions on individual containers
carefully. Not to be used by children
except under adult supervision
MODEL ST-T • CODE 5024
QUANTITY CONTENTS CODE
20 mL *Duplex Indicator *2221-F
1 Spot Plate, plastic 0159
1 Color Chart, Soil, Duplex 1313
1 LaMotte Soil Handbook 1504
*WARNING: Reagents marked with an * are considered to
be potential health hazards. To view or print a Material
Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for these reagents go to
www.lamotte.com. To obtain a printed copy, contact
LaMotte by e-mail, phone or fax.
To order individual reagents or test kit components, use the
specified code number.
PRO CE DURE
A. COL LECTING THE SOIL SAM PLE
1. Divide garden into sampling areas such that each
sample is representative of the soil in which the
plants are to be grown.
2. Scrape surface litter from top of soil. Take soil from
at least five spots, at random, in each area. Take
sample from six inches below top layer. Avoid
sampling the soil when it is very wet.
3. Mix the samples taken from each area together.
Place mixed samples in a suitable container, such as
plastic bag or paper cup.
4. Number the samples, keeping an accurate record of
the area represented by each sample. A sketch of
the area, noting the location from which the sample
was taken, is often helpful.
5. Open the containers to allow the soil samples to air
dry.
6. Spread each sample on a piece of paper. Remove
foreign material, such as stones.
7. Crush soil with a rolling pin or plastic spatula and
put through a sieve (such as a screen or flour sifter).
8. Return this prepared soil to its proper container and
proceed with pH test.
B. SOIL pH TEST
1. Fill the large well in the spot plate (0159) with soil
sample.
2. Add *Duplex Indicator (2221), drop by drop, until
soil is saturated. Let the solution soak into the soil
for one minute.
3. Tilt the spot plate to allow the solution to flow into
the small well.
4. Match the color of the liquid solution to standards
on the Duplex Color Chart (1313). Record as pH.
5. Refer to the following table for interpretation of the
test.
· pH 4.0 Very Acid (sour). Needs lime for plants
in all groups.
· pH 5.0 Acid (sour). Needs lime for plants in
Groups A and B.
· pH 6.0 Slight Acid (sour). Needs lime for plants
in Group A only.
· pH 7.0 Neutral. Needs no lime for plants in
Group A.
· pH 8.0 Alkaline (sweet). Needs no lime. Needs
some souring material for most plants.
To adjust the soil pH to favor your plants, refer to the
plant preference list in the LaMotte Soil Handbook
(1504) and determine which group these plants belong
to. Then consult the lime-alum tables and determine
any adjustment in soil reaction necessary to give the
best results.
It is sometimes desired to make an on-the-spot check
for soil pH without previous preparation of a soil
sample. This may be done following the regular test
procedure, but avoiding soils with an excessive amount
of moisture. The resulting reading should be checked
later using the recommended procedure for a prepared
soil sample.
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 410-778-6394
Visit us on the web at www.lamotte.com
®
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