Quality of soil laboratory analysis of Ecuador

Abstract

Control of the uprightness of results of analysis is essential, for both technical and scientific purposes, especially in the field of soil and plant analyses, since without reliable and guaranteed data, agronomic recommendations may be, on the one hand, counterproductive while, on the other hand, they entail surplus of costs that do not permit the economical sustainability of the productions. The objective of this work was presenting the results of the evaluation of the quality of soil analysis of laboratories located in Ecuador, taking as reference (control) a laboratory located in another country (Spain) with confirmed experience. Five soil samples were taken from different areas of the Ecuador, having the same cultivation (oil palm): La Concordia, Monterrey, and Quevedo from the Western coast; Quinindé, province of Esmeraldas (NW), and lastly ‘Joya de Los Sachas’ from the Amazonia (Eastern Ecuador). Results show significant differences between laboratories, even different inside each group of parameters. Subsequently, it is difficult to establish a thoughtfulness or systematic errors. Data obtained through automatic Auto-analyzer (C and N) evidence also that errors are remarkable. All these disqualify the laboratories analyzed to establish them as reliable, at least, for scientific works and monitoring fertility parameters, in order to improve soil quality. As an evident conclusion, an internal quality control of the different laboratories that provide analysis services should be established, by the corresponding Ministry and/or the different associations of farmers or producers; these should ensure and require quality to such laboratories, recurring to blind external controls when necessary