By reading this application note, you will learn how to determine the potassium content in soil samples with a dedicated Merck Spectroquant® Test Kit using METTLER TOLEDO's EasyPlus UV/VIS spectrophotometers.
Potassium: An Essential Macronutrient
Potassium is one of the 14 essential nutrients required for plant growth. It helps in the absorption of critical nutrients by plants from the soil. Potassium along with nitrogen and phosphorus plays an important role in plant development.
Why Monitor the Potassium Content of Soil?
Potassium, an essential macronutrient is required to increase disease resistance, plant growth, and reproduction. Potassium has two main functions in terms of water and nutrients in plants. It plays a vital role in the activation of basic enzymes for the production of proteins and sugars. This biochemical function requires potassium in small quantities. Potassium also protects the water content in plants in order to maintain the turgor of the cells. Turgid cells protect the vitality of the leaf and thus enhancing the photosynthesis process. Since potassium has multiple roles in the life processes of plants, it necessitates the determination of the amount of potassium present in the soil.
How to Determine the Potassium in Soil Samples?
Potassium in the soil samples can be determined using a Merck Spectroquant® Test Kit 1.14562 and METTLER TOLEDO's EasyPlus UV Vis spectrophotometers. The basic chemistry involves an alkaline solution of potassium ions reacting with Kalignost® (sodium tetraphenylborate) to form a slightly soluble precipitate. The resulting turbidity is measured at 690 nm to measure the potassium concentration in the soil samples.
This application note includes:
- Sample preparation and procedures
- Chemistry
- Solutions and chemicals
- Instruments and accessories
- Results and discussion
- Remarks
Download our free application note to learn more about determining the potassium content in soil samples using METTLER TOLEDO's EasyPlus UV Vis spectrophotometers.
