Soil testing laboratory at Shree Shivaji College, Rajura has been serving the farmers, greenhouse growers and residents of Rajura taluka from last two years. Currently, it is run by Adarsha Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Rajura. It works under the directions of principal, Shree Shivaji College and managed by Shri S. A. Dhawas Lecturer, Dept of Crop Science. The lab was inaugurated on 17th of Sept. 2015 by the hands of Honorable Minister for Centre Shri. Hansaraj Ahir and Shri. Shivajirao Moghe. It is started with the objective to facilitate the farmers in the locality to know the importance of soil testing.
Soil testing is often performed by commercial labs that offer a variety of tests, targeting groups of compounds and minerals. The advantages associated with local lab is that they are familiar with the chemistry of the soil in the area where the sample was taken. This enables technicians to recommend the tests that are most likely to reveal useful information.
Our Goals
The Soil Nutrient Analysis Laboratory has three major objectives. First is to provide an inexpensive means for both agricultural producers and home owners to test their soil fertility and receive environmentally sound limestone and fertilizer recommendations.
The second major focus of the Laboratory is education. Through our analyses as well as outreach efforts, clients and the public are being informed about wise soil management and fertility practices.
What is measured
Laboratory tests often check for plant nutrients in three categories:
- Major nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)
- Soil PH
- Electrical Conductivity
Equipments
- Digital pH Meter Deluxe
- Deluxe Digital Conductivity Meter
- Digital Flame Photometer with 2 Filters
- Distillation Apparatus
- Digital Weighing Balance 300 gm
- ven Aluminum Chamber Small “Cosmo”
- Kjeldols assembly
- Chemicals
Sampling
Soil analysis data are only as good as the sample taken. A sample normally comprises around 1 kg of soil which is taken to represent an entire area or field, which contains around 2,000 tons of soil per hectare to a plough depth of 20 cm (8 inches). It is therefore imperative to obtain as representative a sample as possible or the results will not reflect the nutrient status accurately.
Conclusion
The laboratory processes number of soil samples annually. We are trying our best to provide this facility at their home. Number of farmers visited the lab and tested their soil at low cost. Samples are routinely tested for a variety of major plant nutrients, and pH. Limestone and fertilizer recommendations are based on Farmer Portal and field studies.