Garden Guide
Soil Test Kit
pH, N, P, K Code 5679-01/5934-01
Quantity Contents Code
120 mL/250 mL pH Indicator 5701
120 mL/250 mL *Nitrogen Extracting Solution *5702
10 g/30 g *Nitrogen Indicator Powder *5703
120 mL/250 mL *Phosphorus Extracting Solution *5704
15 mL/15 mL *Phosphorus Indicator Reagent *5705
30/50 *Phosphorus Test Tablets *5706A
120 mL/250 mL Potassium Extracting Solution 5707
30/50 Potassium Indicator Tablets 5708A
15 mL/2 x 15 mL Potassium Test Solution 5709
7/10 Test Tubes, 1-8 mL, plastic w/ caps 0755
1/1 Brush, test tube 0514
3/3 Pipets, transfer, plastic 0364
1/1 Spoon, 0.25 g, plastic 0695
1/1 Spoon, 0.5 g, plastic 0698
1/1 Color Chart, Nitrogen 1371
1/1 Color Chart, Phosphorus 1372
1/1 Color Chart, Potassium, End Point 1352
1/1 Color Chart, pH, Wide Range 1353
1/1 Garden Guide Manual 36250
1/1 Study of Soil Science 1530
1/1 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 specifi ed code number.
WARNING! This set contains chemicals
that may be harmful if misued. Read
cautions on individual containers
carefully. Not to be used by children
except under adult supervision.
Proper handling of chemical test equipment
This test equipment is designed to provide years of dependable service.
Following these suggestions will help increase equipment performance:
1. Carefully follow all instructions.
2. Do not handle tablets; dispense from cap to test tube.
3. Carefully wash and rinse all apparatus used.
4. Tighten reagent caps immediately after use. Do not interchange caps.
5. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
6. Avoid temperature extremes.
7. Anticipate your requirements for replacement reagents.
8. Keep all reagent containers out of reach of young children.
9. Reagents marked with an * are considered potential health hazards.
Read MSDS at www.lamotte.com before use.
Read the Garden Guide Manual
The accompanying Garden Guide Manual provides:
1. Instructions on the proper collection and preparation of soil samples.
2. Essential information for interpretation of test results.
3. Lime and fertilizer recommendations.
4. A soil test record form.
Reading the Color Charts
4.0
5.0
When matching a test color to a color chart, stand with
the light source behind the observer and hold the test
tube approximately one-half inch away from the color
chart. If the color of a test reaction falls between two
standard colors on a color chart, the mid-point between
the two standard values is taken as the test result. For
example, a pH test color reaction falling between the
standard colors for pH 4.0 and pH 5.0 represents a test
result of pH 4.5. In the other tests color reactions may
either match, fall between, or fall beyond the three
standard colors representing “Low,” Medium,” and
“High.”
possible: Very Low, Low, Medium Low, Medium,
Medium High, High, and Very High.
Therefore seven different test results are
pH Test
1
Fill test tube (0755)
to line 4 with pH
Indicator (5701).
Squeeze bottle
gently to control
amount dispensed.
23
Use 0.5g spoon
(0698) to add
three measures
of soil sample.
Cap and mix gently
for one minute.
45
Match color reaction with
Allow tube to
stand for 10
minutes to let
soil settle.
pH Color Chart (1353).
Record result as pH.
Phosphorus Test
Fill test tube
(0755) to line 6
with *Phosphorus
Extracting Solution
(5704).
231
Use 0.5g spoon
(0698) to add
three (3) measures
of soil sample.
Cap and mix gently
for one minute.
Phosphorus Test, continued
4
Remove cap. Allow
to stand, and soil to
settle, until liquid
above soil is clear.
6
Add six (6) drops
of *Phosphorus
Indicator Reagent
(5705) to soil
extract in second
tube.
9
5
7
10
Use one pipet (0364) to transfer
the clear liquid to a second clean
test tube. To avoid agitation of
soil, squeeze bulb of pipet before
inserting tip into liquid. Release
bulb slowly to draw clear liquid
into pipet. Do not pull up any
soil. Fill second tube to line 3.
Cap and mix.
8
Add one
*Phosphorus
T est Tablet
(5706A).
Cap and mix until
tablet dissolves.
A blue color will
develop.
Match color reaction with
Phosophorus
Record result as Phosphorus.
Low 0-50 lb/acre
Medium 50-100 lb/acre
High +100 lb/acre
Color Chart (1372).
Nitrogen Test
123
Fill test tube (0755)
to line 7 with
*Nitrogen Extracting
Solution (5702).
45
Remove cap
and allow soil
to settle.
67
Use 0.25g spoon
(0695) to add two
measures of
*Nitrogen Indicator
Powder (5703) to
soil extract in
second tube.
Cap and gently
mix. Wait 5 minutes
for pink color to
develop above the
powder.
Use 0.5g spoon
(0698) to add two
measures of soil
sample.
Use a clean pipet (0364) to
transfer the clear liquid to
a second test tube. To avoid
agitation of soil, squeeze
bulb of pipet before inserting
tip into liquid. Release bulb
slowly to draw clear liquid
into pipet. Do not pull up any
soil. Fill second tube to line
3 with liquid.
8
Match test color with
Nitrogen Color Chart (1371).
Record as Nitrogen.
Low 0-30 lb/acre
Medium 30-60 lb/acre
High +60 lb/acre
Cap and mix
gently for one
minute.
Potassium (Potash) Test
123
Use 0.5g
Fill test tube (0755)
to line 7 with
Potassium Extracting
Solution (5707)
spoon (0698)
to add four
(4) measures
of soil sample
to test tube.
Cap and shake
vigorously for
one minute.
45
Remove cap
and allow soil
to settle.
6
Add one Potassium
Indicator T ablet
(5708A) to soil
extract in second
tube.
78
Cap and mix until
tablet dissolves.
A purplish color
will appear.
Use a clean pipet (0364) to
transfer the clear liquid to
a second clean test tube. Be
careful not to pull up any soil
into pipet. Fill second tube to
line 5 with liquid.
NOTE: If additional extract is
needed to fi ll the tube to line 5,
repeat steps 1 through 4.
Add Potassium Test
Solution (5709),
two drops at a time,
keeping count. Mix
contents after each
addition. Stop adding
drops when the color
changes from purplish
to blue.
Potassium (Potash) Test, continued
9
Use Potassium End Point Color Chart (1352) as a guide
in
reading this color change. Keep an accurate count of the
number of drops added. Read test result from table.
Number of Drops Added Potassium (Potash) Level
0-8 Very High
10 High
12 Medium High
14 Medium
16 Medium Low
18 Low
20 or more Very Low
Low 0-120 lbs/Acre
Medium 120-200 lbs/Acre
High +200 lbs/Acre
LaMOTTE COMPANY
Helping People Solve Analytical Challenges
PO Box 329 • Chestertown • Maryland • 21620 • USA
800-344-3100 • 410-778-3100 (Outside USA) • Fax 410-778-6394
Visit us on the web at www.lamotte.com
65679-01 1/12
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