Total nitrogen (nitrite, nitrate and ammonia) 

Although nitrogen made up approximately 80% of the atmosphere, plants find it very difficult to benefit from this, because they cannot use nitrogen in its free from. It has to be either in the form as nitrate, nitrite or ammonia. Only legumes have the ability to convert the free nitrogen to a usable form, the rest have to depend on the decomposition of organic matter or application of commercial nitrogen fertilizers. Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for plant growth and fruit sizing. It also stimulates the use of other nutrients. Too much nitrogen could have adverse effect on plants – delay maturity, weaken stems and produce excessive vegetative growth at the expense of the fruits.

Nitrate Nitrogen 

Procedure for test 

1. Transfer 1ml of soil extract into Spot Plate.
2. Add 10 drops of Nitrate Test Reagent #1 and stir.
3. Add 0.5g Nitrate Test Reagent #2 and stir.
4. Let stand for 5 minutes then compare color developed to Nitrate Color Chart.

Nitrite Nitrogen

Procedure for test   

1. Transfer 5 drops of soil extract into a spot plate.
2. Add one drop each of Nitrite Nitrogen Test Reagent #1 and #2  and stir.
3. Add 3drops of Nitrite Nitrogen Test Reagent #3, mix the read result after one minute
4. Match resulting color to Nitrite Nitrogen Color Chart.

Scott and Dr. Allen with a soil sample