TEST METHOD: Turbidity test for sodicity
Revised: 10 June 2002
OVERVIEW
Sodicity is an important factor limiting plant growth.
TASK SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Safety boots are mandatory
| SPECIFIC JOB STEPS | HAZARDS WITHIN THIS STEP | HAZARD CONTROL |
| Weigh 100 g of air dry soil into a 600 mL screwtop glass jar. Add 500 mL of deionised water, by pouring gently down the side of the jar. | Sodic soils take a long time to settle if disturbed. | Avoid disturbing the soil too much. The method uses the minimum replicable disturbance to allow for the shortest settling time. |
| Invert the jar once, and return to original position. Let stand for 4 hours. | Avoid extra shaking or bumping. | |
A white
plastic spoon or spatula is placed into the suspension.
If it is:
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Defining visibility can be tricky | Use photographs such as those provided by the CRC for Soil and Land Management (there is a printed copy in Delta's library), OR use a marked plastic sodicity dipstick from the same source. |