Analytical Laboratory of the Department of Plant Nutrition (ALIB)
Laboratory accredited by the Croatian Accreditation Agency

Analytical Laboratory of the Department of Plant Nutrition (ALIB) at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture conducts research in the fields of agronomy and environmental management for the purposes of scientific research projects, teaching and professional cooperation with legal entities and individuals.

ALIB conducts analyses and testing of soil, plant material, mineral and organic fertilizers and soil improvers, compost, digestate, substrate, sludge from wastewater treatment plants, irrigation water and nutrient solutions, and gives a final opinion on their conformity with the declared values (if listed). Based on the results of the analyses and tests carried out, ALIB issues an opinion on the quality of the soil and recommends fertilization in accordance with the principles of sustainable agricultural production as well as the applicable legal legislation.

In addition to the above, ALIB is also a research laboratory that operates in terms of structuring and faster development of research activity. Research programmes are in accordance with the research strategies of University of Zagreb and the Faculty and the needs of the community.

Based on the Decision of the Ministry of Agriculture (CLASS: UP/I-320-11/23-01/14, REGNUM: 525-06/205-23-2), Analytical laboratory of the Department of Plant Nutrition is authorized for testing the quality of mineral fertilizers. Through ALIB, Faculty of Agriculture is authorized to perform soil analyses for the purpose of monitoring the condition of agricultural land, in accordance with the Law on Agricultural Land (Official Gazette No. 20/18, 115/18, 98/19, 57/22) and the Regulation on the Methodology for Monitoring the Condition of Agricultural Land (Official Gazette No. 47/19), Decision of the Ministry of Agriculture (CLASS: UP/I-320-02/23-17/03, REGNUM: 525-06/188-24-2).

Laboratory services

1. Soil analysis

We implore you that while delivering your soil samples enclose the completed forms (User Request, Soil Sample Data) that can be download at the bottom of the page.

parameters:

• soil pH (H₂O / KCl)
• electrical conductivity (E.C.)
• hydrolytic acidity (y1)
• exchangeable (Al³⁺)
• total carbonates (CaCO₃)
• physiologically active lime (CaO)
• organic matter (humus) and total carbon (C)
• mineral nitrogen - nitrate and ammonium nitrogen (NO₃-N, NH₄-N)
• total nitrogen (N)
• total calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg)
• physiologically active phosphorus (P₂O₅) and potassium (K₂O)
• physiologically active magnesium (Mg)
• total and / or physiologically active microelements and heavy metals: Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Hg, As, Mo, Co
• water-soluble boron (B)
• water-soluble chlorine (Cl)
• water soluble sodium (Na)

Analysis of mineral and organic fertilizers and soil improvers

a) mineral fertilizers - solid (granular and crystalline) and liquid
parameters:

• moisture (H₂O)
• granulometric composition
• N - total, ammoniacal, nitrate, amide
• P₂O₅ - total, water soluble, citrate soluble, formic acid soluble
• K₂O - total, water soluble
• CaO, MgO, SO₃, Fe, B, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, Cl, Na - total and water soluble

b) organic fertilizers – manure (veal, beef, poultry) lumbricals, guano, etc..
organic improvers - composts, digestates, substrates, peats, sewage sludge and other organic products that can be used in agriculture
parameters:

• in accordance with applicable legislation

c) organic-mineral fertilizers and improvers  
parameters:

• in accordance with applicable legislation

d) inorganic improvers - dolomites, limestones, marls, silicon materials and other products of inorganic origin used in agricultural production
parameters:

• in accordance with applicable legislation

3. Plant material analysis

parameters:

• dry matter and moisture content
• total macro elements - N, P, K, Ca, Mg
• total micro elements and heavy metals: Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Hg, As, Mo, Co
• nitrates in green mass - NO₃-
• total and/or water-soluble Na and Cl

4. Analysis of irrigation water and nutrient solutions

parameters:

• pH
• electrical conductivity (E.C.)
• total water-soluble salts
• cations and anions: Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, HCO₃-, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺, NO₃-, SO₄^2-, P^3-, Cl^-
• microelements

5. Substrate analysis (1:2 vol.)

parameters:

• pH
• electrical conductivity (E.C.)
• total water-soluble salts
• cations and anions: Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, HCO₃-, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺, NO₃-, SO₄^2-, P^3-, Cl^-
• microelements

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Contact

University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture
Analytical Laboratory of Department of Plant Nutrition (ALIB)
Svetošimunska cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb :: Croatia
Phone: +385 1 239 3817