• Project or Activity Designation and Number: SERA-IEG-6
• Project or Activity Title: Nutrient Analysis of Soils, Plants, Water, and Waste Materials
• Period Covered: July 1, 2002-June 12, 2003
• Annual Meeting Dates: June 9-12, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez
• Participants: A list of SERA-IEG-6 members and participants in the 2003 meeting along with a record of the minutes from this meeting can be found at the following URL: http://www.clemson.edu/agsrvlb/sera6 - click on Participants. Address for the list-server is sera-ieg-6-L@clemson.edu.
• Project or Activity Leadership: Activity Leadership:

Chair - Ray Campbell, crcampb@bellsouth.net

Past Chair - Kathy Moore, kmr@clemson.edu

Chair-elect - Hugh Savoy, hsavoy@utk.edu

Secretary - Hailin Zhang, zhailin@okstate.edu

Research Administrative Advisor - Bob Westerman, rwester@okstate.edu

Extension Administrative Advisor - David Kissel, dkissel@arches.uga.edu

• Brief summary of minutes of annual meeting: Please refer to meeting minutes at the following URL: www.clemson.edu/agsrvlb/sera6
• Accomplishments and Impacts: The work-group continues to be a forum for interaction of members concerning soil, plant, waste, and water analysis issues. Although laboratory procedures and equipment are reviewed, major emphases are placed on recommendations. Uniform regional recommendations are agreed upon where appropriate. This has significant impact on national efforts to protect the environment, improve water quality, and preserve natural resources.

The exchange group continues to emphasize electronic data transfer, which provides faster turn-around time and greater accuracy. Shared information on data collection, report generation and electronic transfer has significantly impacted the ability of participating laboratories to accomplish these tasks.

The mission statement for SERA-IEG-6 was reviewed and updated to reflect progressive views of farm wastes as by-products of agriculture. After administrative approval, the new statement will be posted on the web site.

During the coming year, efforts will be focused on completing bulletins in various stages of preparation. Members will continue to work collectively and individually to emphasize proper use of soil testing, plant, waste, and water analysis in protecting the environment and preserving soil and water resources.

The Agronomy and soils department of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez hosted a very successful annual meeting in June of 2003. The focus of the educational program and information exchange was on tropical agriculture in hopes of fostering cooperative projects and other collaborative efforts that may facilitate advancements in the Caribbean.

Cooperative Research Projects: Quantification of Differences Between ICP and Colorimetric Phosphorus Determinations- Lab work has been completed. Data for all participating states but Texas received by 2003 meeting. Results to be summarized and published by 2004 meeting.

• Publications: Bulletin 190 has been revised and sent to committee members for final review; Regional Cotton Fertility Bulletin- In Progress; Manure Testing Manual (Joint Project with NCR-13) Completed and Posted on Web site; M1 - M3 Conversion Fact Sheet draft was submitted for review at annual meeting. A review committee has been appointed. The fact sheet is scheduled for posting on the Web in August 2003; CEC Survey and Methods Fact Sheet- Outline has been sent out for review by work-group members; Quantification of Differences Between ICP and Colorimetric Phosphorus Determinations- Lab work has been completed. Final report will be prepared soon; Deficiency Symptoms for Crops in the Southern Region of the United States-Decision made at annual meeting to publish on the Web Site a collection of photographs describing nutrient deficiency symptoms for important crops of the Southern Region. Publication to be organized and ready for review by 2004 meeting.
• Prepared by: Dr. C. Ray Campbell, Chair
• Submitted by: Drs. Robert Westerman and David Kissel
• Date Submitted: July 20, 2003