Dry Labs

The lab offers high-throughput, economical and innovative dry spectroscopic techniques for the analysis of soil, plant and fertiliser materials. The high quality soil information we are able to provide can help improve precision agriculture by better understanding the link between soil characteristics and crop productivity and nutrition.

Three analytical techniques are available:

• Mid-infrared (MIR) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (Tensor II and Alpha from Bruker). MIR analysis is calibrated using standard wet chemistry methods and we have established calibrations to estimate SOC (soil organic carbon) and inorganic carbon (IC) in soils of England and Wales.
• Laser diffraction particle size analysis (LDPSA) can measure soil texture and micro-aggregate stability (Horiba LA 960). We offer standard texture analysis or all soils with SOC concentrations below 5%.
• X-ray flourescence (XRF) spectroscopy (Tracer 5ifrom Bruker) provides total elemental concentrations. XRF analysis is calibrated using standard wet chemistry methods and we have established calibrations for a wide range of soils and grain flower. However, the sensitivity of XRF is limited to elemental concentrations > 5 ppm.