The document discusses the establishment and objectives of the Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN) to improve soil laboratory data quality, enhance decision-making for food security and environmental quality, and ensure consistent soil analysis standards across regions. It outlines planned activities and support for regional networks, including the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs), proficiency testing, and collaboration among laboratories. Additionally, the document emphasizes the importance of harmonizing methods and data to achieve reliable soil classification and recommendations.

1. Item 6
Introduction to the Global Soil
Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN) and
compilation of regional inputs

2. Outcomes of the 5th GSP Plenary Assembly
(June 2017)
Endorsement of Pillar 5
Implementation Plan and
support to its execution,
including the
establishment of
regional and a Global
Soil Laboratory
Network

3. Regional Soil Laboratory Networks
(RESOLANs)

4. Why should countries join GLOSOLAN and
RESOLANs?
Remember that
most soil
characterizations &
recommendations
are based on…
Soil analytical
results!

5. When sending a same soil sample
to any soil lab…

6. When sending a same soil sample to any soil
lab…
…your expectation is to get
the same result
(+/- uncertainty)

7. When sending a same soil sample to any soil
lab…
…and to obtain the same soil
classification or provide
similar recommendations, etc.

8. In reality…
Large differences are observed
between laboratories (even for
something as simple as pH)

9. P
Laboratory (confidential
code)
p
H
Laboratory (confidential
code)
Example provided by SEALNET 2.0
(ring test, South-East Asia)

10. In conclusion, if you send the same soil
sample to different labs…
Sometimes you get different results and
conclusions

11. In conclusion, if you send the same soil
sample to different labs…
But which laboratory is right
?

12. To help answering this question
was launched on 1-2 November 2017

13. 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.

14. Identify research gaps e.g. which promising
methods require refinement and further
development?
Area for investment,
technical cooperation,
extension services
Provision of reliable
data to support the
establishment of the
Global Soil Information
System (GLOSIS)
Improve the basis for decision making regarding e.g.
soil fertility, SOC management

15. GLOSOLAN’s objectives…
• To strengthen the performance of
laboratories through use of standardized
methods and protocols.
• To harmonize soil analysis methods so that
soil information would be comparable and
interpretable across laboratories, countries
and regions.
• To provide a certification for technical
competencies in laboratory analysis.

16. GLOSOLAN’s impacts….
– To support decision making at field and policy levels;
– To support countries in reporting on the Sustainable Development Goals and on
other international commitments;
– To contribute to the development of international standards and indicators;
– To contribute to the establishment of the Global Soil Information System (GLOSIS);
– To contribute to the development of harmonized methods for the assessment and
monitoring of degraded lands and/or lands affected by climate change and other
threats, as identified in the Status of the World Soil Resources report;
– To improve the connection between soil chemistry, physics and biology;
– To contribute to and improve soil classification and description;
– To assist companies manufacturing laboratory equipment in improving their
products;
– To expand the opportunities for technical and scientific cooperation;
– To strengthen the capability of extension services;
– To identify research needs; and
– To increase investments in research

17. Areas of work
CAPACITY BUILDING & LABORATORY
EMPOWERMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES PROFICIENCY TESTING
CERTIFICATIONACCREDITATION
INTERPRETATION OF LABORATORY
RESULTS
PROVISION OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO
LAND USERS
HARMONIZATION OF DATABASES (TRANSFER FUNCTIONS)

18. GLOSOLAN work plan 2018-2019
Activity Responsible party Deadline
Establishing the GLOSOLAN
Technical Working Group
GSP Secretariat NA
Developing/compiling
GLOSOLAN terminology
GLOSOLAN Technical Working
Group
15 April (for
presentation at 7th
GSP
Plenary Assembly)
Revising the GSP Soil Data
Policy
GLOSOLAN Technical Working
Group
GSP Secretariat
15 April (for
presentation at 7th
GSP
Plenary Assembly)
Developing the template for
reporting and publishing
GLOSOLAN SOPs
GLOSOLAN Technical Working
Group
GSP Secretariat
3rd
GLOSOLAN meeting
(for presentation)

19. GLOSOLAN work plan 2018-2019
Activity Responsible party Deadline
Developing the GLOSOLAN
SOPs for sample pre-treatment,
inorganic C (CaCO3 equivalent),
OC Walkley-Black and OC dry
combustion and writing the
related volumes in the Best
Practice Manual
GLOSOLAN Technical Working
Group
GSP Secretariat
RESOLANs
3rd
GLOSOLAN meeting
(for presentation)

20. Standard Operating Procedures
Identification of top priority soil parameters to work
on and SOPs to develop
Soil parameter #SOP Note
Sample preparation 1
Moisture content 1
Organic C 2 Walkley-Black (not in USA)
Dry-combustion
Inorganic C 1 CaCO3 equivalent
Bulk density 1
Texture and coarse fraction 2 Pipette method
Hydrometer
pH in water, CaCl2 and KCl 1 TBC (SOP survey)
Electrical conductivity (EC) 2 Saturated paste
TBC (SOP survey)
Total nitrogen 2 Kjeldahl
Combustion

21. Standard Operating Procedures
Identification of top priority soil parameters to work
on and SOPs to develop
Soil parameter #SOP Note
Available phosphorus 3 Olsen
Bray I/II
Mehlich III
Ammonium lactate
CEC and exchangeable cations 2 or
more
Ammonium
acetate/chloride (2)
Cobalt Hexamine and BaCl2
TBC (SOP survey)
Total trace and major elements 1 Total digestion method
(aqua regia + HF)
Quasi-total trace and major elements 1 Partial digestion method
(aqua regia)
Extractable micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, B) 3 DTPA
EDTA
Mehlich III

22. Standard Operating Procedures
Identification of top priority soil parameters to work
on and SOPs to develop
Soil parameter #SOP Note
Extractable micronutrients (B) 1 Hot water/CaCl2
Chloride 1 Mohr method
Sulfur 1 Barium chloride

23. Standard Operating Procedures
Development of the work plan to develop
GLOSOLAN’s SOPs
SOPs (on average 3 per year) 2019 202
0
202
1
202
2
202
3
2024 2025 2026 2027 2028
sample pre-treatment
inorganic C (CaCO3 equivalent)
OC Walkley-Black
OC dry combustion
moisture content
electrical conductivity (saturated paste +
1 depending on countries’ survey
inputs)
pH in water, CaCl2 and KCl
D
texture and coarse fraction (pipette
method and hydrometer)
bulk density
total nitrogen Kjeldahl
total nitrogen combustion
available P Olsen and Bray I/II
available P Mehlich III and ammonium
lactate
CEC and exchangeable cations by
ammonium acetate
CEC and exchangeable cations by
chloride plus survey in the regions
total trace and major elements by total
digestion method

24. GLOSOLAN work plan 2018-2019
Activity Responsible party Deadline
Launching RESOLAN Europe-
Eurasia, Pacific, NENA and
Africa
GSP Secretariat Before 3rd
GLOSOLAN
meeting
Launch of RESOLAN-Africa: 21-24 May 2019
Launch of RESOLAN- Europe&Eurasia: 30 September- 4 October 2019
Launch of RESOLAN-NENA: June 2019 [postponed]
Launch of RESOLAN-Pacific: July 2019 [TBC]

25. GLOSOLAN work plan 2018-2019
Activity Responsible party Deadline
Identifying regional pools of
experts to:
-Supervise the implementation
of GLOSOLAN SOPs and GLP
-Provide specific training as
appropriate
GSP Secretariat and RESOLANs NA
Done at the time the GLOSOLAN Technical Working Group was
established. Each member to complete a survey. This would ensure
that experts are put to work on the topic they are confident the
most and are asked to do what they can actually contribute to
(writing, reviewing, training, etc.)

26. GLOSOLAN work plan 2018-2019
Activity Responsible party Deadline
Surveying laboratories that
work on spectroscopy and
establishing a dedicated
working group to develop SOPs
on NIR and MIR
GSP Secretariat February 2019 for
establishment of
working group
3rd
GLOSOLAN meeting
for presentation of
progress on SOPs for NIR
and MIR
We established the working group but things are slow moving, the
topic is quite complex

27. GLOSOLAN work plan 2018-2019
Activity Responsible party Deadline
Developing criteria for
laboratories who want to join
the global PT and criteria for
samples to use in the PT
GLOSOLAN Technical Working
Group
GSP Secretariat
February 2019
• For laboratories to join the PT: “Laboratory
qualification to participate in GLOSOLAN’s
Proficiency Testing Programme”

28. GLOSOLAN work plan 2018-2019
Activity Responsible party Deadline
Launching the first global PT GSP Secretariat May 2019
Writing a technical document
on the preparation of samples
to use in PT
GLOSOLAN Technical Working
Group
GSP Secretariat
15 April (for
presentation at 7th
GSP
Plenary Assembly)
Samples are about to be sent out. The PT will interest:
-All National Reference Laboratories in Latin America and Asia
-Laboratories joining the First RESOLAN-Africa meeting
-Selected laboratories in Europe, Eurasia, NENA, Pacific and North
America
For laboratories to produce their own control samples: “Producing a
sample for the GLOSOLAN PT Scheme”

29. GLOSOLAN work plan 2018-2019
Activity Responsible party Deadline
Writing a resolution for the
international exchange of soil
samples for research purposes
under GLOSOLAN
GLOSOLAN Technical Working
Group
GSP Secretariat
15 April (for
presentation at 7th
GSP
Plenary Assembly)
Initiating the work on
harmonization
ASPAC
WEPAL
Other
GSP Secretariat
3rd
GLOSOLAN meeting
(for presentation)

30. Harmonization strategy
1. Harmonization of data obtained using different GLOSOLAN SOPs
PROPOSAL ENDORSED (Rich, USDA, USA)
Implementation Strategy:
- Soil parameter to harmonize at first: soil organic carbon.
- Data to harmonize: SOC data obtained using the Walkley-Black and the dry
combustion methods (reference to the GLOSOLAN work plan)
- Transfer functions will be developed on historical databases at first and thereafter
improved as needed.
- Data need: SOC data from soil samples analyzed using both the Walkley-Black and
the dry combustion methods

31. Harmonization strategy
1. Harmonization of data obtained using different GLOSOLAN SOPs
PROPOSAL ENDORSED (Rich, USDA, USA)
Implementation Strategy:
- USDA will make available their historical databases. Other partners complying with
the above mentioned requirements will be invited to share their databases and the
SOPs for the methods used. Data can be anonymized before submission. The
provision of geo-located data is optional. The USDA volunteered to run the
statistical analysis and develop the transfer functions. In order to facilitate data
entry, a form for data submission will be sent to partners sharing their databases.
Form to be prepared by the USDA and sent by the GSP Secretariat
- In order to assist in the process, the GSP will do a literature review on the
comparison of methods on SOC determination. Results will be presented at the 3rd
GLOSOLAN meeting

32. Harmonization strategy
2. Harmonization of data obtained using GLOSOLAN SOPs and ISO standards
PROPOSAL ABOLISHED
Not needed
3. Harmonization of data obtained using national methods and GLOSOLAN SOPs
PROPOSAL ENDORSED (Louise, BGS UK to support)
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.

33. 3. Best Practice Manual
Definition of its structure and content
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

34. 3. Best Practice Manual
Definition of its structure and content
Manual 1: Site characterization, sampling and sample pre-treatment
Volume 1.1 How to collect a soil sample for soil nutrient assessment: site selection and sampling
Information on equipment, sample transport and storage, and moisture conditions should be included. The writing
of Volume 1.1 was assigned to Pillar 4.
Volume 1.2 Generic characterization of sites and samples
The writing of Volume 1.2 was assigned to Pillar 4.
Volume 1.3 Soil sample pre-treatment
Manual 2: Soil chemical analysis
SOPs developed by GLOSOLAN will be presented in here. For each method, information on its relevance/use,
principle of measurement, apparatus, reagents, procedure, calculations, report and reference should be
provided.
Volume 2.1 Organic carbon
Volume 2.2 pH
Volume 2.3 Available phosphorous
Volume 2.4 Available potassium
Volume 2.5 Total nitrogen
Volume 2.6 Exchangeable cations and CEC
Volume 2.7 …

35. The work plan of GLOSOLAN is
reviewed annually
2nd
GLOSOLAN meeting
28-30 November 2018
FAO HQ, Rome

36. The work plan of GLOSOLAN is
reviewed annually
…RESOLANs have power in GLOSOLAN
Even if it is not possible to get all GLOSOLAN’s
laboratories to the GLOSOLAN meetings, regional
opinions and positions are brought to the
attention of GLOSOLAN through the regional
Chairs

37. Decisions that GLOSOLAN will have to make at its
3rd
meeting
SOPs (on average 3 per year) 2019 202
0
202
1
202
2
202
3
2024 2025 2026 2027 2028
sample pre-treatment
inorganic C (CaCO3 equivalent)
OC Walkley-Black
OC dry combustion
moisture content
electrical conductivity (saturated paste +
1 depending on countries’ survey
inputs)
pH in water, CaCl2 and KCl
D
texture and coarse fraction (pipette
method and hydrometer)
bulk density
total nitrogen Kjeldahl
total nitrogen combustion
available P Olsen and Bray I/II
available P Mehlich III and ammonium
lactate
CEC and exchangeable cations by
ammonium acetate
CEC and exchangeable cations by
chloride plus survey in the regions
total trace and major elements by total
digestion method
1. Endorsement of the Standard Operating Procedures developed

38. Decisions that GLOSOLAN will have to make at its
3rd
meeting
SOPs (on average 3 per year) 2019 202
0
202
1
202
2
202
3
2024 2025 2026 2027 2028
sample pre-treatment
inorganic C (CaCO3 equivalent)
OC Walkley-Black
OC dry combustion
moisture content
electrical conductivity (saturated paste +
1 depending on countries’ survey
inputs)
pH in water, CaCl2 and KCl
D
texture and coarse fraction (pipette
method and hydrometer)
bulk density
total nitrogen Kjeldahl
total nitrogen combustion
available P Olsen and Bray I/II
available P Mehlich III and ammonium
lactate
CEC and exchangeable cations by
ammonium acetate
CEC and exchangeable cations by
chloride plus survey in the regions
total trace and major elements by total
digestion method
2. Standard Operating Procedures to develop
A call for leaders to harmonize the SOPs collected globally will be
made. Please let me know if any of you feels like playing a role in this

39. Decisions that GLOSOLAN will have to make at its
3rd
meeting
3. Evaluation of the first GLOSOLAN Proficiency Test
On Friday, I will give you all a bag with some soil samples to analyse.
Instructions on how to handle and analyse the samples, and on how to
report the results of the analysis will be provided.
Phytosanitary certificates and other travel documents will be provided.
3. Decision on how to proceed with the development of transfer
functions (harmonization of databases)
Suggestions are welcome…

40. Thanks for your
attention