Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry Laboratories

Laboratory Facilities

Soil Test Crop Response (ICAR-AICRP-STCR) Laboratory

This laboratory was started in the year 1967-68 to carry out research works in order to develop STCR-IPNS based fertilizer prescriptions for major crops/cropping sequences of the corresponding agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu

Objectives of the laboratory

To develop soil test based fertilizer prescription under Integrated Plant Nutrition System (STCR-IPNS) for various crops and soils.
To evaluate the extent to which fertilizer needs of crops can be reduced in relation to conjoint use of organic manures.
To evaluate the various soil test methods for their suitability under field conditions.
To evolve a basis for fertilizer recommendation for a whole cropping sequence based on initial soil test values.

Secondary and Micronutrients Laboratory

Milestones

1967: Started as ICAR – AICRP on Micronutrients

1985: Renamed as AICRP on Micro and Secondary Nutrients and Pollutant Elements in Soils and Plants

2006: Reassessment of soil micronutrient status and preparing thematic maps

2009: Bio-fortification and screening of crops for Micronutrient efficiency

2010: Bio-transfer of micronutrients in Soil – Plant – Animal continuum

2013: Redefining critical limits for Zn and Cu

Objectives

To delineate and reassess the changes in secondary and micronutrient fertility in the soils of predominant cropping system.
To prepare secondary and micronutrient fertility status maps using geographic information system (GIS).
To study micronutrients distribution in the soil profiles of major soil orders under different land uses.
To establish and refine the critical limits of secondary and micronutrients in soils and crops.
To standardize soil test methods and to evaluate multi-nutrient extractants for the estimation of available secondary and micronutrients in soils.

To assess the influence of P build up on the availability of micronutrients in soils and its impact on micronutrient nutrition of crops.
To standardize the rate of foliar feeding of secondary and micronutrients for correcting its deficiency and enrichment in crop produces.

To screen crop genotypes for micronutrient efficiency and bio-fortification.
To monitor secondary and micronutrients transfer in soil-plant animal continuum.
To assess the extent of heavy metal pollution in soil, plant and water and monitor the metal transfer in soil-plant-animal continuum.

To demonstrate the proven technologies through front line demonstration in farmers’ fields and create awareness on the significance of secondary and micronutrients in crops.

^{3. 15}N Research Laboratory and Long Term Fertilizer Experiment

Objectives

Nitrogen utilization pattern and use efficiency of different crops
Measurement and control of N losses
Development and testing of new fertilizer formulations
Quantification of N fixation by legumes and microorganisms

Facilities Available

Mass Spectrophotometer (micro mass 622)
Segmented flow analyzer (auto analyzer 5100)
Nitrogen analyzer (kjeltec auto system)
Microwave Digestion Unit (3000 Solv)

Mass Spectrophotometer for ¹⁵N studies

Long Term Fertilizer Experiments (LTFE)

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in collaboration with State Agricultural Universities (SAU) initiated the All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Long Term Fertilizer Experiments (LTFE) in 1972 in 11 centers located in major agro-climatic zones of the country including TNAU, Coimbatore. The main objectives of Tamil Nadu centre are to study the effect of continuous application of plant nutrients on soil nutrient availability, crop productivity and sustainability over years under Maize-Finger millet cropping sequence. So far 43 crop cycles have been completed. The LTFE is located in Field No.37 of the Eastern block having soil representing, calcareous medium black with sandy clay loam texture which belongs to Perianaickenpalayam series (Vertic Ustropept) of Inceptisol.

Permanent Manurial Experiment (PME)

The Permanent Manurial Experiment (PME) was started in the year 1909 and being maintained at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. It is the oldest one having historical importance in India as it has crossed 100 years of continuous experimentation. This experiment was conducted to study the continuous application of nutrients on yield and available nutrients status of soil. It has eighteen treatments which comprises of control, either nutrients alone or in combination, organic manures alone and INM etc. are being tested as non replicated trial.

From 2008 onwards the treatments of PME was revised to suit the high yielding crops that are being released and recommended currently. The approaches of nutrient addition through FYM/Poultry Manure, Integrated Nutrient Management, STCR-IPNS, and residue incorporation, etc were introduced in the middle strip of PME. Instead of fixed dose of fertilizer nutrients followed earlier, the blanket dose of fertilizer recommended for each crop variety/hybrid is being adopted at present in maize- sunflower cropping system under irrigated conditions.

Overview of permanent Manurial experiment with omission (N, P & K) and addition of (N, P & K) nutrient in inorganic and organic form in sunflower crop

4. Soil Physics Laboratory

Soil Physics laboratory is functioning for the past thirty years from 1970 on words with the major objective of identifying soil physical constraints that limit plant growth and identification of appropriate technologies to overcome the constraints.

Objectives

To delineate soil physical constraints in different districts of Tamil Nadu, India
To teach soil physics course for M.Sc.(Ag) & Ph.D Soil Science Students
To develop management strategies for physical constraints.

Services offered

Analysis and identification of soil physical constraints and technology advisory for problem soil management to the farmers.

5. Radioisotope Laboratory

Objectives of the Unit

To take up radiation research on nutrient use, their mobility and interaction in soils and plants.
To impart training to undergraduate and postgraduate students on radioisotopes.

Services Provided

Being a specialised laboratory, facilities are available for processing and analysis of radioactive samples.

1	Laboratory visit of students from other institutions and demonstration of radiological instruments	3250 /day
2	Charges for procurement of radioactive unsealed/sealed sources for research purposes	1000/ consignment
3	Charges for handling hot sources and preparing stock solutions	2500/ consignment
4	Charges for handling hot sources and preparing labeled fertilisers	2500/ consignment
5	Radiation survey and monitoring	1000
6	Service charges for disposal of radioactive wastes	2500/disposal
7	Processing of radioactive samples	100 / sample
8	Radioassay of samples by GM counter	100 / sample
9	Radioassay of samples by Liquid Scintillation Counter	150 / sample
10	Radioassay of samples by Solid Scintillation Counter	150 / sample
11	Radioassay of samples by Low Beta Counter	250 / sample
13	Radioassay of samples by Multichannel Analyser	250 / sample
14	Macro autoradiography of plant specimens	2500 / sample

6. Tamil Nadu Soil reference Centre

Fifteen soils representing different agro climatic zones of Tamil Nadu were selected. The profiles were opened and soil monoliths were collected for exposition. The exposition of soil monoliths were arranged according to the agro climatic zones followed by soil series names, taxonomic classification and local name. It is a potential resource for famers, soil scientists, agronomists, ecologists, extension personnel’s and students.

7. PG Laboratories (PG lab and Ph.D Lab)

The modernized Ph.D., lab of the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry has the facility to accommodate 10 Ph.D. scholars with individual cubicles furnished with tables, chairs and book shelves. The laboratory is equipped with hot air ovens, muffle furnace, sand bath, water bath, mini Wiley mill, shaking machine, quartz distilled water still, electric weighing balance, Flame photometer, block digester and Auto nitrogen analyser.

8. UG Laboratories

The under graduate laboratories of the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry are well equipped for carrying out routine soil, plant, water, manures and fertilizer analysis. The laboratories are also having a good collection of rocks and mineral specimens for educational purpose. The spacious and well-furnished laboratories can accommodate 100 undergraduate students at a time.