Laboratory Work on Chemical Properties of the Soil

Topic Content:

The laboratory work on the chemical properties of the soil can be carried out using these methods:

1. The Use of pH Scale:

The pH scale which has a range from 1-14 has a pointer. The figure, which the pointer points to, reflects the pH value. For instance, if the pointer of the pH scale reads a pH value of 2, it shows that the sample under test has a lower pH or pH lower than 7. Thus, the soil sample is acidic.

2. The Use of Litmus Paper:

The litmus test is the most common and cheapest means to test for soil acidity. Procedures used in classifying soil samples in acidic, alkaline and neutral soil.

• Add some water to the soil sample in a test tube.
• Shake the mixture to dissolve the minerals contain in the soil sample.
• The litmus paper is then introduced into the soil suspension.

Observation and Results

• The soil sample is acidic when blue litmus paper introduced turns to