The second lab managers’ meeting of the South-East Asia Laboratory NETwork (SEALNET) took place on 19 - 23 November 2018 in ICAR-IISS (Indian Institute of Soil Science), Bhopal, India. Mr. Ashok Kumar Patra, ICAR – Indian Institute of Soil Science, India (2nd Day)

1. Internal quality control
ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science
Bhopal

2. Do you have and use an internal quality control
system
i.e. do you have a set of rules to detect analytical errors
within your laboratory?
YES, Check samples (Known value)
If yes, are these rules written?
Yes/No
If yes, how often to you use your internal
quality control system?
Always for research,
Every batch

3. What are the characteristics of the material
used for quality control (QC)?
What kind of material is used to perform the quality control?
- natural soils? YES
- synthetic material? YES/NO
- chemicals? YES (Standard curve)
Is the material used for QC:
- prepared by yourself ? YES/NO
- prepared out of the laboratory ? YES/NO
- bought to a company as a certified reference material ?
YES/NO

4. Analysis of the control material
Are you using the control material for all your analytical parameters? YES
If 'NO' are you using it for:
- pH YES/NO
- EC YES/NO
- Carbon YES/NO
- etc. (please make the list of the top ten analysis according to on line
survey) YES/NO
How often do you analyze your control material?
- in every analytical batch YES
- every hours YES/NO
- once a day YES/NO
- once a week YES/NO
- once a month YES/NO

5. Comparison of control material results to
specific statistical limits
Do you have a data base where the control material results are collected?
Done individually at Scientist level
Are you using quality charts to plot your results (like in the figure attached
this email)? YES/NO
Can you show an example of quality control chart obtained in your
laboratory? YES/NO
How do you determine the specific statistical limits for acceptable/rejection
limits? Please describe it shortly or provide the statistical test

6. Action after a negative results for quality
control
If the quality control procedure indicates a failure (results out
the statistical limits), what do you do? Please explain shortly the
procedure
•Repeat
•Replicated samples
•If variation >5-7%

7. Staff qualification
Is there a quality control officer to look into the quality of the results?
Ensured at Scientist level
If YES, did she/he get some special training to do this control?
YES/NO
If YES, please provide some short information on the type of training she/he received
Does she/he continue to be trained on a regular basis?
YES/NO
If YES, please provide information on the frequency and duration of the training

8. Technicians
Trained technicians are generally involved for analytical work.
Instrument Maintenance
Instruments are meticulously maintained.
Balance Operation Verification
Prior to weighing a sample on a balance, the balance operation
is verified.
Sample Preparation
We do not split or discard any sample prior to drying and
grinding. We process the entire sample.
Report Approval
Reports must be approved by a soil Scientist
Aspects of our Agricultural Soil Testing

9. Soil pH
• Standard reference: pH buffer tablets of pH 4, 7 and 9.2/buffer
solution of pH 4, 7 and 9.2
• Checking the calibration of pH meter using buffer
tablets/solution of known pH after 20-25 samples interval
• Auto correction for temperature variation (25o
C)
• pH Electrode Checks

10. Organic Carbon
TOC analyzer
• Standard reference: Chemicals like Sucrose, potassium
hydrogen phthalate, sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen
carbonate
• Calibration of instrument
Walkley and Black Carbon
• In house reference material.

11. Available phosphorus
(Olsen P)
• Standard of known concentration are periodically
checked after 20 samples
• Auto correction for blank reading

12. Exchangeable
potassium
• Standard of known concentration are periodically
checked after 20 samples
• Measurement for blank reading

13. Thanks for your attention

14. Thanks for your attention

16. Sample
No pH Organic Carbon (%) Available P (mg/kg) Avilable K (mg/kg)
Mean STDEV Mean STDEV Mean STDEV Mean STDEV
1 7.20 0.09 2.76 0.17 213.85 9.83 132.25 0.35
2 5.30 0.08 0.19 0.02 3.90 0.28 11.00 0.71
3 7.26 0.09 2.76 0.13 224.70 2.83 130.00 2.12
4 7.84 0.12 2.11 0.04 15.50 0.28 334.00 1.41
5 5.16 0.14 0.19 0.02 1.20 0.14 55.25 0.35
6 5.23 0.04 0.25 0.02 4.00 0.00 9.55 0.28
7 4.98 0.07 0.21 0.04 1.60 0.14 53.00 0.71
8 5.23 0.06 0.21 0.04 3.90 0.14 12.75 1.06
9 5.04 0.12 0.21 0.04 1.45 0.07 56.00 0.71
Mean Value and standard deviation of soil parameters analyzed at
laboratory of ICAR-IISS, Bhopal