Measuring soil respiration with recently sampled soil that is minimally-processed provides vital information regarding actual behavior of soil biology under real field conditions.  The Soil Master Kit is specially designed to obtain a realistic indication of soil microbial activity.

The application is specifically designed for obtaining and preparing samples by minimal disturbance by use of a soil-knife instead of corer and a coarse-sieve for gentle homogenizing of soil. To complete the field-environmental/ecological package a soil thermometer is supplied to document actual field soil temperature.  An on-line calculator at Solvita.com enables correcting field sample respiration to any other field temperature and moisture condition.

Note:This field test application provides important, complementary information to “CO2-Burst” respiration carried out on dried, ground soils in a laboratory. CO2-Burst reveals potential respiration and may be 2-5 times higher than actual field rates. Soil Master is ideal for soil conservationists, farmers and soil-ecologists.

Contents: Included in the test kit package are:

• Field Digital Color Reader (Green DCR)
• 25 Soil CO2 Probes (introductory package)
• Miniature Digital Scale for range of 0 -1000g soil
• Soil Knife (Stainless Steel) and Soil Thermometer
• Standard Coarse Soil Sieve (1/4 inch)
• Soil Wire Brush for cleaning sieve without water
• 3 Incubation Jars (polystyrene 475 ml with lids affixed with gas-tight gaskets)
• USB Cable and Jump Drive with Solvita Reader Software and drivers
• Instruction Manual with interpretation guide