Rapid colorimetric methods for analysis of pH, extractable aluminium and Colwell phosphorus in soils

Context Analytical procedures and technologies for soil analyses can be prohibitively expensive small laboratories researchers in developing countries. There is a need low cost high-throughput methods assaying pH, extractable aluminium phosphorus when conducting field trials on acid soils. Aims We investigated to develop rapid yet inexpensive colorimetric assays the assay of Colwell extracts. Methods developed method measure pH enabling quantified assay. Similarly, two existing P were modified high throughput also using microtiter plates. Key results All three yielded linear relationships absorbance quantify parameters with methods. Furthermore, there was strong correlation between values samples obtained measured glass electrode. Conclusions demonstrated that all implemented characterise sites through mapping distributions Al, pH. Implications The described here will useful who conduct map variations soluble Al P. Although focus current work soils, applied non-acid