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Determination of Total Phosphorus in Soils: A Rapid Perchloric Acid Digestion Procedure¹

ABSTRACT

Extraction and colorimetric methods were evaluated for determining total P in soils. A procedure involving simultaneous digestion of 60 soil samples with perchloric acid and determination of extracted orthophosphate with an ascorbic acid method was evaluated. Analysis of diverse soils indicated that the proposed and conventional HClO₄ digestion procedures yielded essentially the same total P values; however, both HClO₄ methods underestimated total P by 1–6% when compared to Na₂CO₃ fusion. A comparison of colorimetric orthophosphate procedures indicated the method of Murphy and Riley (1962) was suitable for determination of orthophosphate following either HClO₄ digestion or Na₂CO₃ fusion. Determination of total P in soils by tube HClO₄ digestion and estimation of extracted P by the method of Murphy and Riley (1962) enables rapid and precise estimation of total P in a wide range of soils.

¹ A contribution of the Agr. Exp. Sta., Purdue Univ., Lafayette, Ind. 47907. Purdue Journal paper no. 4675. Laboratory assistance by Mrs. Paz Koh is appreciated.

² Assistant Professors of Agronomy.

Received for publication February 24, 1972. Accepted for publication July 7, 1972.