colored balls

Laboratory Analysis

Soil Fertility (continued)

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Part 3: Phosphorus (P)

1. Use the clean pipette to transfer 25 drops of the clear solution above the soil to a clean test tube. (If more solution is needed, repeat Part 1).

pipette

2. Fill the tube to the shoulder with distilled water.

add to tube

3. Add one Phosphorus Tablet to the tube and cap it. Be sure that all the pieces of the tablet are added to the test tube. Mix until the tablet disintegrates.

Adding tablet

4. Rest the test tube in a cup or beaker. Wait 5 minutes (but no more than 10 minutes) for color to develop.
5. Compare the blue color of the solution to Phosphorus on the color chart in the Soil Test Kit. Record your results (High, Medium, Low, or None) on the Soil Fertility Data Worksheet.

Comparing to color chart

6. Discard the solution and wash the tube and the pipette with distilled water.
7. Repeat this procedure with the liquid from each of the soil samples. Be sure to rinse the pipette and tube with distilled water after they are used.

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