Soil Chemistry

Soil chemical testing provides information about the soil and its ability to supply nutrients. Many tests aim to provide information about the physical status of the soil or its biological activity (e.g. organic carbon).

In the following section discussion focuses on two of the most important analytical determinations (i.e. soil pH and soil EC) related to soil chemistry.

In general, acidic soil is most commonly associated with climatic regimes where rainfall is high, temperatures are hot and biological activity leads to the production of organic acids. In these areas free drainage favours leaching of exchangeable cations.

Conversely, saline, sodic and alkaline soil profiles are most common in climatic regimes where rainfall is minimal, evaporation is high and drainage is limited. As a result deep drainage of soluble salt is limited and accumulates in subsoil horizons

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