Section II consists of 118 colleagues from the fields of research, testing, consulting and from the industrial sector. The chief task of this group is to develop, refine and standardise methods for the identification and assessment of important properties of soils with consideration of their agricultural usage.
New methods are tested for their suitability by means of ring tests. They are reviewed several times to ensure their precision and are recorded in the VDLUFA Methods Book, volume I “Soil Analysis”. Methods which are obligatory for all members are referred to as “Verbandsmethode” (VDLUFA Association Method). These methods also play a part in national and international standardisation. A so-called “Buchmethode” (Book Method) is not obligatory but is also applied in scientific work.
In addition to their validation by means of ring tests, the association methods are examined in annual proficiency tests to assure the quality of LUFA laboratories.
In cooperation with section I, scientific knowledge is pooled, in particular for the interpretation of test results and for the drafting of practical recommendations. The membership of foreign colleagues makes it possible to exchange and make use of international know-how. Generally, the members meet twice a year: for a symposium which takes place during the VDLUFA congress in September and for a workshop every spring.
1. Chairwoman: Dr. Kathlin Schweitzer Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Albrecht-Daniel-Thaer Institut für Agrar- und Gartenbauwissenschaften, Lehr- und Forschungsstation Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 5, 14195 Berlin, Germany Mail: kathlin.schweitzer@agrar.hu-berlin.de Phone: +49.30.5097056
2. Chairman: Dipl.-Ing. Hagen Nusche Staatliche Betriebsgesellschaft für Umwelt und Landwirtschaft, Geschäftsbereich 6 – Labore Landwirtschaft Waldheimer Straße 219, 01683 Nossen, Germany Mail: Hagen.Nusche@smul.sachsen.de Phone: +49.35242.632.6130 Fax: +49.35242.632.6099
