Soil Testing Protocols for Organic Farming—Concept and Approach

Abstract

In this article the authors discuss the concept of soil testing for organic farming and have identified a number of novel methods for estimation of potentially mineralizable nitrogen (N), microbial biomass nitrogen, speciation of biologically active phosphate fraction, and potassium. More so, modification in lime requirement, and cation balancing—a concept for cationic plant nutrition in organic farming are proposed. The present communication suggests an attribute designated “biological fertility index” combining both chemical and biological attributes for exploring the contribution of microbes toward soil fertility. Furthermore, the present article suggests technical approaches for carrying out research on identification of suitable extractants and their validation for robustness for formulating suitable protocols. Successful development of such soil testing protocol will be helpful to the personnel of state soil testing laboratories and organic certifying agencies presently lacking of such facilities.

Keywords:

• Biological fertility index
• cation balancing
• extractants
• lime requirement
• organic farming
• phosphorus speciation
• potentially mineralizable nutrient fraction
• soil testing protocol