New, Comprehensive Soil Chemical Methods Book for Australasia

Abstract

The 1992 Australian Laboratory Handbook of Soil and Water Chemical Methods (the handbook) of Rayment and Higginson defines much of the contemporary soil chemical methodology used in Australia for soil fertility and land-resource survey assessments. In addition, codes from the handbook identify methodological details in Australian soil databases, while the codes summarize most tests used for certification purposes by the Australasian Soil and Plant Analysis Council (ASPAC) in its interlaboratory soil proficiency testing programs. A worthy, comprehensive replacement was required as the handbook is out of date in places and out of print. This article provides information on the handbook's replacement with a new book by Rayment and Lyons, titled Soil Chemical Methods-Australasia. Method codes and other strengths of the handbook have been retained and many new tests have been added. There are new chapters on acid sulfate soils, total miscellaneous elements, and miscellaneous extractable elements, plus inclusions and improvements throughout. Modern analytical techniques, such as flow-injection analysis, inductively coupled plasma–mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), and potential alternatives to chemical testing offered by near-range and midrange infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, are included. Examples of new additions include the Mehlich 3 “universal” soil test (and derived environmental P tests) and methods for potentially mineralizable nitrogen, labile carbon, particulate organic carbon, and charcoal. Around 200 methods are fully described, while information of measurement performance at different concentrations is provided where credible data were available from multiple, interlaboratory proficiency programs of ASPAC. Procedures for the chemical testing of water are no longer included, except where relevant to saturation extracts of soils. While there are informative and much expanded method preambles and reference lists, the new 2011 book has its focus on methodology. A scheme to agree on recommended methods for different soils and regional locations is outlined.