Analysis of organic fertilizers and soil conditioners : variation of results and comformity with specification

Zainab Hamzah, . and Lau C.H., . (1996) Analysis of organic fertilizers and soil conditioners : variation of results and comformity with specification. [Proceedings Paper]

Numerous organic materials which are used as fertilisers or soil conditioners are commercially available in Malaysia. In this paper 13 samples consisting of 11 organic fertilisers and 2 soil conditioners were investigated. Variation of analytical results were studied and compared with those specified by the manufacturers. The organic materials were analysed for moisture and ash content major elements comprising N P K Ca and Mg and minor elements consisting of Mn Fe Al Pb Cr Zn Cu and B. Other analysis were pH water-soluble nutrients and C/N ratios. Most of the materials have high moisture content with values ranging from 3.8 - 62.2 . Their ash content were high with some having values of 70.6 72.3 and 67.0 respectively. Different organic materials contain different amount of N P2O5 K2O CaO and MgO. NRSP and malameal had more than 20.0 P2O5 while Libfeed had 22.9 N. Kelawar had the highest K2O content of 39.8 compared with the lowest value of 2.8 of Alaska Fish. Among the minor elements in the fertilisers only Fe and Al are present in significant quantity. Although Cu Zn B Pb and Cr were detected their content were generally found to be low with most in the 10 - 50 ug/g range pH of most samples ranged between 3.8 and 8.8. Four samples have low C/N ratio of about 6.5 suggesting that they are high N containing products. Within each sample results of replicate determination varied considerably. For P2O5 K2O MgO and CaO the coefficients of variation could be as high as 80 . In many instances agreement between laboratory analytical results and those specified by the manufacturers were poor despite repeat analysis of the sample. Formulation of standards is needed as seen from the variation of results obtained from the organic materials in this study.

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Abstract

Numerous organic materials which are used as fertilisers or soil conditioners are commercially available in Malaysia. In this paper 13 samples consisting of 11 organic fertilisers and 2 soil conditioners were investigated. Variation of analytical results were studied and compared with those specified by the manufacturers. The organic materials were analysed for moisture and ash content major elements comprising N P K Ca and Mg and minor elements consisting of Mn Fe Al Pb Cr Zn Cu and B. Other analysis were pH water-soluble nutrients and C/N ratios. Most of the materials have high moisture content with values ranging from 3.8 - 62.2 . Their ash content were high with some having values of 70.6 72.3 and 67.0 respectively. Different organic materials contain different amount of N P2O5 K2O CaO and MgO. NRSP and malameal had more than 20.0 P2O5 while Libfeed had 22.9 N. Kelawar had the highest K2O content of 39.8 compared with the lowest value of 2.8 of Alaska Fish. Among the minor elements in the fertilisers only Fe and Al are present in significant quantity. Although Cu Zn B Pb and Cr were detected their content were generally found to be low with most in the 10 - 50 ug/g range pH of most samples ranged between 3.8 and 8.8. Four samples have low C/N ratio of about 6.5 suggesting that they are high N containing products. Within each sample results of replicate determination varied considerably. For P2O5 K2O MgO and CaO the coefficients of variation could be as high as 80 . In many instances agreement between laboratory analytical results and those specified by the manufacturers were poor despite repeat analysis of the sample. Formulation of standards is needed as seen from the variation of results obtained from the organic materials in this study.

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Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	Available at Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM Serdang Selangor Malaysia. mal S590.2 S683 1995 Call Number
AGROVOC Term:	ORGANIC FERTILIZERS
AGROVOC Term:	SOIL CONDITIONERS
AGROVOC Term:	ORGANIC MATTER
AGROVOC Term:	PH
AGROVOC Term:	MOISTURE CONTENT
AGROVOC Term:	ASH CONTENT
AGROVOC Term:	CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
AGROVOC Term:	NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY
AGROVOC Term:	MALAYSIA
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:27
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/16321

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