State-of-the-Art Soil Testing Laboratory to becoming operational with next six months

Georgetown: Farmers are soon to benefit from a State of the Art Soil Testing Laboratory which will significantly enhance their agronomic practices.

        The Ministry of Agriculture working with its agencies, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary/Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA), National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), the Fisheries Department and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), is working to have this comprehensive soil laboratory operational within six months.

        Agriculture plays a significant part in Guyana’s development as it presently contributes 23 percent of GDB, and for a country highly depended on agriculture, such a laboratory is necessary.

        Soil analysis is a valuable tool for farms as it determines the inputs required for efficient and economic production. Soil tests helps to ensure application of enough fertilizer meets the requirements of the respective crop, while taking advantage of the nutrients already present in the soil.

        To further expand the sector, such a move is necessary according to Agriculture Minister Hon. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy as it will not only significantly reduce the cost on farmers but also allow the sector to be more effective.

        GuySuCo can only perform certain soil test the moment. The lab, when completed will have the capacity to analyze various soil samples which prior has to be sent to  Miami to be tested.

        The sugar corporation soil laboratory does a number of analysispresently. These are listed at the end of this document. However a number of other tests are required for rice and other farmers and additional tests are done internationally.

        The soil laboratory will eliminate the need for sending samples overseas. The inclusion of the laboratory will significantly reduce the cost farmers endure to have a proper soil test carried out. A Technical Management Committee will also be established with representatives from the respective agencies to manage the lab.

       

SOIL

pH

Total Soluble Salts (Ecw)

Acidity (KCl Extraction)

Calcium (KCl Extraction)

Magnesium (KCl Extraction)

Phosphate (Bray)

Ammonium Acetate Extraction

Sodium

Potassium

Copper, Cadmium, Cobalt, Manganese, Iron, Zinc, Lead, Others..

Organic Carbon

Particle Size Distribution

Dispersion Ratio

Particle Density

Dry Bulk Density

Plasticity  Index

Saturated Paste Extraction..

Hydraulic Conductivity.

Carbonate (Alknty.)

Available Aluminium

P Adsorption Index

Sulphur/Sulphate

H2O

Kjeldahl Digestion/Total Nitrogen (Spectry.)

Total N in digest

NO3–-N (Extrn. & Spectry.)

NO3–-N/NO2–-N (Extrn. & Distilln. & Trtm.)

NH4+-N (Titration)

PLANT TISSUE/FEEDING STUFF/FOODS (Limited)

Kjeldahl Digestion

Total Nitrogen in digest

Phosphorous in digest

Potassium in digest

Boron

Sulphur

Metals: Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Co, Cd…

Crude Protein

Crude Fats

Crude Fiber

Ash

Moisture

SUGAR and other SUGAR PRODUCTS

Polarization

Moisture

Reducing  Sugar (Invert Sugars)

Grain Size

Sulphated Ash

Filterability

Raw Colour

Affined Colour

Dextran

Conductivity Ash

Starch

Insoluble Matter

WATER

pH

Electrical Conductivity (Ecw)

Total Suspended Solids

Total Solids

Total Dissolved Solids

Akalinity

Acidity

Total Nitrogen

Ammonium Nitrogen

Nitrate Nitrogen

Phosphate

Diss. Oxygen (D.O Meter)

Sodium

Potassium

Fluorine

Metals: Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Co, Cd…

Sulphate

Chloride

Chemical Oxygen Demand

Turbidity