Routine Laboratory Analyses

Analysis of the following are available:

• Texture
• By the hydrometer method, up to 40 samples per day.
• Microbial Biomass
  • Chloroform fumigation followed by direct extraction or incubation. A dedicated vacuum pump and 3 chambers allows analysis of 90-150 samples per week.
• Respiration/Carbon mineralization
  • May be measured by headspace subsampling and direct injection into an Infrared Gas Analyzer (IRGA) or by base trap titration. A large number of 1/2, 1, 2, and 4 liter Jars are available. A constant temperature room at 25 C can accomodate hundreds of samples for extended time periods. Two small (~2 cu. ft) heat-only incubators can maintain 25-40+ C and one large (~20 cu. ft.) refrigerated incubator can maintain ~4-40 C for shorter time periods.
• Soil moisture retention
  • Four pressure chamber/plates can equilbrate up to 72 samples (5 cm. diameter) at moisture potentials ranging from -0.08 to -1 bar. One 1/2 bar high flow plate is available for potentials ranging from -0.005 to -0.5 bar.
• Extraction Equipment
  • Two orbital shakers with holders for 125 ml and 250 ml flasks allow shaking of up to 106-125ml flasks or 80-250 ml flasks at once. Six filtration racks allow filtering of up to 60 samples at once.
• Fiber/Lignin analysis
  • Fiber analysis may be performed using a modified Goering-Van Schoest forage fiber technique. Analytes include: cell contents, cell wall constituents, hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin. Up to 80 samples per week may be analyzed, depending on which components are desired.

  Contact Dan Reuss regarding other analyses