Sampling and Analysis
Fertilizer Analysis Methods 8 CCR 1202-4 Part 6.2
The methods of analysis listed are used by the Colorado Department of Agriculture to analyze commercial fertilizer products. Please call (303) 477-0086 or email Program Administrator Jonathan Handy at jonathan.handy@state.co.us with any questions. For further information on the laboratory, please visit the Inspection & Consumer Services Biochemistry Laboratory web page.
Fertilizer Confirmatory Method List (for print)
FERTILIZER
| Analyte | Confirmatory Method | Modifications |
| Total Nitrogen (N) | AOAC Official Method 993.13 Nitrogen (Total) in Fertilizers Combustion Method |
None |
| Soluble Potash (K2O) | AOAC Official Method 983.02 Potassium in Fertilizers |
Using flame emission spectroscopy in place of flame photometry (improvements in technology since method written in 1983) |
| Available Phosphate (P2O5) | AOAC Official Method 960.03 Phosphorus (Available) in Fertilizers |
Minor modifications to extraction for safety purposes |
| Calcium (Ca) | APAC Official Method 965.09 Nutrients (Minor) in Fertilizers Atomic Absirption Spectrophotometric Method |
Extract - don't boil samples in straight acid to dryness on hotplate due to safety concerns |
| Magnesium (Mg) | AOAC Official Method 965.09 Nutrients (Minor) in Fertilizers Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric Method |
Extract - don't boil samples in straight acid to dryness on hotplate due to safety concerns |
| Copper (Cu) | AOAC Official Method 965.09 (a) Nutrients (Minor) in Fertilizers Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric Method |
Extraction - final dilution in DI water in place of HCL. Instrument - ICP not AA (improvement in technology since method written in 1960) |
| Iron (Fe) | AOAC Official Method 965.09 (a) Nutrients (Minor) in Fertilizers Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric Method |
Extraction - final dilution in DI water in place of HCL. Instrument - ICP not AA (improvement in technology since method written in 1960) |
| Manganese (Mn) | AOAC Official Method 965.09 (a) Nutrients (Minor) in Fertilizers Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric Method |
Extraction - final dilution in DI water in place of HCL. Instrument - ICP not AA (improvement in technology since method written in 1960) |
| Zinc (Zn) | AOAC Official Method 965.09 (a) Nutrients (Minor) in Fertilizers Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric Method |
Extraction - final dilution in DI water in place of HCL. Instrument - ICP not AA (improvement in technology since method written in 1960) |
| Sulfur (S) | AOAC Official Method 980.02 Sulfur in Fertilizers |
None |
Compost Analysis Methods 8 CCR 1202-4 Part 6.3
The methods of analysis listed are used by the Colorado Department of Agriculture to analyze commercial compost. Please call (303) 477-0086 or email Program Administrator Jonathan Handy at jonathan.handy@state.co.us
Compost Confirmatory Method List (for print)
COMPOST
| Analyte | Confirmatory Method | TMECC Equivalent |
| Salmonella sp. | Salmonella - FDA BAM Chapter 5 Method | Equivalent to 2002 TMECC 07.02-A 1-2 Salmonella Detection Test |
| Fecal coliform | E. coli - FDA BAM Chapter 4 Method | Equivalent to 2002 TMECC 07.01-A Total Coliforms |
| Carbon | LECO Organic Application (Carbon and Nitrogen in Soil and Sediment) |
Equivalent to 2002 TMECC 04.01-A Combustion with CO2 Detection |
| Nitrogen | LECO Organic Application (Carbon and Nitrogen in Soil and Sediment) |
Equivalent to 2002 TMECC 04.02-D Total N By Oxidation |
| Ammonia & Carbon Dioxide |
2002 TMECC 05.08-E: Stability and Maturity Test - Solvita TM |
TMECC 2002 05.08-E Solvita Maturity Index |
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