SEALNET | Asian Soil Laboratory Network: 3rd meeting. Manila, Philippines, 23 - 27 September 2019. Presenter: Ms. Nilo

1. Report of the 2nd
GLOSOLAN meeting
Dr. Gina Nilo
SEALNET vice-Chair

2. 1. Review of…
The purpose of GLOSOLAN is to improve the quality of soil
laboratory data to support decision making at field and policy
levels, in support of the overarching goals of eradicating
hunger by achieving food security and improving nutrition,
and ensuring environmental quality. In this context, the work
of GLOSOLAN is connected to the GSP Pillars of Action.

3. 1. Review of…
The objectives of the network …
1. To strengthen the performance of laboratories through use
of standardized methods and protocols.
2. To harmonize soil analysis methods so that soil
information would be comparable and interpretable across
laboratories, countries and regions.
3. To provide a certification for technical competencies in
laboratory analysis.

4. 1. Review of…
The impacts of the network…
Reporting on
international
commitments (e.g.
SDGs)
Support decision
making at field and
policy levels
Contribute to the
development of
international standards
and indicators
Expand the opportunities for
technical and scientific
cooperation
Contribute to the development of
harmonized methods for land
assessment and monitoring
Assist companies manufacturing
laboratory equipment in improving
their products
Strengthen the capability of
extension services

5. 1. Review of…
The impacts of the network…
Improve the connection
between soil chemistry,
physics and biology
Contribute to the establishment
of the Global Soil Information
System (GLOSIS)
Contribute to and improve soil
classification and description
Identify research needs
Increase investments

6. 1. Review of…
The indicators to assess the performance of the network
Available at
http://www.fao.org/3/CA3245EN/ca
3245en.pdf

7. 2. Presentation of the results of the First
Global Laboratory Assessment report
It is being converted into a
publication. Expected launch
date: October/November 2019
For decision:
Would you like to repeat this
assessment on a regular
basis?

8. 3. Report of the Regional Soil Laboratory
Networks
By that time, only the RESOLAN for Asia (SEALNET) and for
Latin America (LATSOLAN) were established

9. 3. Report of the Regional Soil Laboratory
Networks
At present:
Launched in May 2019
Upcoming launch: October 2019
Upcoming launch: October 2019

10. 4. Standard Operating Procedures
• Prioritization of the SOPs to harmonize

11. 4. Standard Operating Procedures
• Prioritization of the SOPs to harmonize

12. 4. Standard Operating Procedures
• Work plan on SOP development

13. 4. Standard Operating Procedures
• Work plan on SOP development

14. 4. Standard Operating Procedures
Since then, production of SOP reporting template and related
instructions of use

15. 4. Standard Operating Procedures
Since then, harmonization of the SOPs for sample pre-
treatment, inorganic C (CaCO3 equivalent), OC Walkley-Black,
OC dry combustion

16. 4. Standard Operating Procedures
Since then, harmonization of the SOPs for sample pre-
treatment, inorganic C (CaCO3 equivalent), OC Walkley-Black,
OC dry combustion
Harmonized SOPs will be presented and endorsed at the
3rd GLOSOLAN meeting
For decision:
Do you have any observation/recommendation to make on the
validation of the endorsed SOPs?

17. 4. Standard Operating Procedures
• Work plan on SOP harmonization
For decision:
Are you fine with working on the harmonization of the
following parameters?
• moisture content
• electrical conductivity (saturated paste + 1 depending on
countries’ survey inputs)
• pH in water, CaCl2 and KCl
Would you like to propose other ones?

18. 5. Best practice manual
• Agree on the structure and content of the manual
Manual 1: Site characterization, sampling and sample pre-treatment
Manual 2: Soil chemical analysis
Manual 3: Soil physical analysis
Manual 4: Soil biological analysis
Manual 5: Data quality, management and validation
Manual 6: Harmonization and correlation factors
Manual 7: Data processing: soil functions, classification and statistics
Manual 8: Soil contaminants
Manual 9: Standards or maximum allowed levels of nutrients – interpretation and
recommendations
Manual 10: Security in the laboratory
Manual 11: Good Laboratory Practices

19. 5. Best practice manual
• Agree on the structure and content of the manual

20. 6. Proficiency testing (PT)
• Presentation of the
PT results from Asia
and Latin America
[upcoming
publication of
regional PT results]

21. 6. Proficiency testing (PT)
• Decision to execute a global PT (100 laboratories,
samples from Mexico) – decision on the soil
parameters to assess in the PT
• Decision to move the request for a resolution for
the free exchange of soil samples for research to
countries at the 7th GSP Plenary Assembly.
Resolution approved. Resolution to be brought to
the attention of FAO Council

22. 6. Proficiency testing (PT)
• Start the compilation of an open access online
database on national custom and laboratory import
procedures. To be launched in 2020 and to be
regularly updated.

23. 6. Proficiency testing (PT)
• Revision of the GSP Soil Data Policy. Amendment
endorsed by the 7th GSP Plenary Assembly

24. 6. Proficiency testing (PT)
• Additional actions taken in 2019…
a. Survey to identify
potential samples
providers (draft to be
discussed at the 3rd
GLOSOLAN meeting)

25. 6. Proficiency testing (PT)
• Additional actions taken in 2019…
b. Basic guidelines on how
to produce a sample for
proficiency testing (draft
document to be discussed
at the 3rd GLOSOLAN
meeting)

26. 6. Proficiency testing (PT)
• Proposal to write a training manual on how to
prepare reference soil samples in 2020. To be
discussed at the 3rd GLOSOLAN meeting
For decision:
Do you agree on the need for these documents? Would any
other document needed?

27. 7. Harmonization of databases –
development of transfer functions
1. Harmonization of data obtained using different GLOSOLAN SOPs
PROPOSAL ENDORSED (Leader: Richard Ferguson, USDA, USA)
Soil parameter to harmonize at first: soil organic carbon (Walkley-Black and
the dry combustion methods)
2. Harmonization of data obtained using GLOSOLAN SOPs and ISO standards
PROPOSAL ABOLISHED as it is not needed
3. Harmonization of data obtained using national methods and GLOSOLAN SOPs
PROPOSAL ENDORSED (Leader: Louise Ander, BGS UK)
Survey those laboratories that cannot use GLOSOLAN SOPs. Eventually organize
trainings on the development of transfer functions.
4. Harmonization of historical databases – DISCUSSION POST-PONED
Waiting for results from point 1. It is going to be very difficult.

28. 8. Spectroscopy
Work plan 2019:
1. Do an inventory on the information GLOSOLAN
members need/have on spectroscopy [Survey to be
launched in October 2019]
2. Develop guidelines (they can become de facto
standards) [Outline to be presented at the 3rd GLOSOLAN
meeting]
3. Identify metadata to harmonize…need for GLOSIS
inputs
Leaders: USDA, ICRAF, ISRIC

29. Other
• The GLOSOLAN Technical Working Group was
established
Suggestions on how to improve its way of working are
welcome!

30. Other
• GLOSOLAN Terminology [NOT READY]
Problem of finding a suitable leader for its writing!

31. Other
• Identification
of trainers,
advisors and
regional
partners

32. Thanks for your
attention