Analytical Lab Report

Farm Location

• Location: Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh
• Land Area: 168 acres
• Lab: Geo Research House

1. Introduction

This analytical lab report presents a comparative study of organic soil and normal soil from Gulab Farm. The objective is to analyze and compare the physical, chemical, and biological properties of these two soil types to understand their differences in composition, nutrient content, and suitability for agricultural practices.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1 Sample Collection

• Organic Soil Sample: Collected from an organic section of the farm with a history of organic practices.
• Normal Soil Sample: Collected from a conventional section of the farm using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

2.2 Laboratory Analysis

• Physical Properties: Texture, colour, moisture content.
• Chemical Properties: pH, nutrient content (N, P, K), organic matter content.
• Biological Properties: Microbial activity, presence of beneficial microbes.

3. Results

3.1 Physical Properties

Property	Organic Soil	Normal Soil
Texture	Loamy	Sandy loam
Colour	Dark brown	Light brown
Moisture Content	25%	15%

3.2 Chemical Properties

Property	Organic Soil	Normal Soil
pH	6.8	7.2
Nitrogen (N)	50 ppm	30 ppm
Phosphorus (P)	40 ppm	20 ppm
Potassium (K)	60 ppm	35 ppm
Organic Matter	8%	3%

3.3 Biological Properties

Property	Organic Soil	Normal Soil
Microbial Biomass	High	Moderate
Beneficial Microbes	Present (e.g., Mycorrhizae)	Limited (e.g., reduced diversity)

4. Discussion

4.1 Physical Properties

• Texture: The organic soil has a loamy texture, which is ideal for plant growth due to its good drainage and aeration properties. The normal soil, with a sandy loam texture, may require amendments to improve moisture retention.
• Colour: The dark brown colour of the organic soil indicates a high organic matter content, while the lighter colour of the normal soil suggests lower organic content.

4.2 Chemical Properties

• pH: Both soil types have pH levels within the suitable range for most crops. However, the slightly higher pH of the normal soil may require adjustment for certain plants.
• Nutrient Content: Organic soil shows higher levels of essential nutrients (N, P, K) compared to normal soil, indicating better fertility and reduced need for synthetic fertilizers.
• Organic Matter: The organic soil has a significantly higher organic matter content, which improves soil structure, nutrient availability, and moisture retention.

4.3 Biological Properties

• Microbial Biomass: Organic soil supports a higher microbial biomass, essential for nutrient cycling and soil health. Normal soil shows moderate microbial activity, potentially impacted by synthetic inputs.
• Beneficial Microbes: Organic soil contains a diverse range of beneficial microbes like mycorrhizae, which enhance nutrient uptake. Normal soil has limited microbial diversity, possibly due to chemical treatments.

5. Recommendations

Based on the analysis, the following recommendations are provided to enhance soil health and productivity:

5.1 For Organic Soil

• Maintain: Continue using organic amendments like compost and cover crops to sustain nutrient levels and microbial activity.
• Monitor: Regular soil testing to ensure balanced nutrient availability and pH levels.

5.2 For Normal Soil

• Amend: Incorporate organic matter such as compost or green manure to improve soil structure and nutrient content.
• Reduce: Minimize the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to enhance microbial diversity and soil health.
• Adjust pH: If necessary, use lime or sulphur to adjust pH levels according to crop requirements.

6. Conclusion

The comparative analysis of organic and normal soil highlights significant differences in their physical, chemical, and biological properties. Organic soil demonstrates superior fertility, structure, and microbial activity, making it more suitable for sustainable agricultural practices. Normal soil, while capable of supporting high-yield farming, may benefit from the integration of organic practices to improve long-term soil health and productivity.