A comparison between the H2SO4‐H2O2‐Li2SO4‐Se oxidation method and alternative digestion procedures for plant nutrient analysis.

Abstract

Ca, Mg, Na, K and P contents of 3 plant tissues obtained by H₂SO₄‐H₂O₂‐Li₂SO₄‐Se peroxidation digestion were compared with those determined by mixed acid (HNO₃‐H₂S0₄‐HC10₄) and dry ashing procedures. Differences between methods were not consistent between elements or tissue types but the mixed acid digestion generally yielded higher Ca, Mg and P values than did dry ashing and peroxidation. Tissue K contents estimated by both wet digestion techniques were not significantly (P ≤0.05) different. Differences in Na values between digestion methods were highly inconsistent between tissue types and the precision of the Ma data was poor. N contents determined by peroxidation digestion and a conventional Kjeldahl method agreed closely.