Increasing laboratory costs and time constraints have stimulated development of techniques which allow the simultaneous extraction of many elements from soil. We assessed several techniques using cation/anion exchange resins which allow the simultaneous extraction of Ca, Mg, K, Al, Mn and P from soil. Elements are extracted by shaking soil either with resin beads or resin membranes in distilled water. The resin is separated from the soil and elements are desorbed using BaCl2/HCl. Concentrations of elements in solution are then determined by conventional chemical methods. Using 50 soils which varied in acidity/fertility, a comparison was made between concentrations of elements extracted by the resin methods and commonly used extraction procedures. Apart from Al, concentrations of elements extracted by the resin procedures correlated well with conventional extraction procedures, although P was less well correlated (R2 < 0.8) than cations (R2 > 0.8). All the resin procedures have the potential to reduce the time required for analysis of Ca, Mg, K, Mn and P in soils. The resin membrane method offers considerable speed and cost advantages over the unconfined resin bead method.

During the past 3 4 decades, there has been a modest growth in the demand for soil amd plant testing services in Australia. Such development reflects an increasing awareness by farmers that there are tangible benefits from the regular use of soil and plant analysis. Concomitant with these changes, there has been an increasing breadth and sophistication in the range of available services, instrumental advances that permit more rapid analytical throughput, evolution of computer management systems (including computer-generated reports), and a general decrease in reporting time to primary producers. These developments have not always been matched with adequate quality control and uniformity in sampling, analysis, interpretation, and fertiliser advice procedures. There is need for further research and method development leading to the introduction of universal reagents or ion exchange resin extractions, or new test procedures into laboratory routines, to enhance laboratory capacities and turnaround times or to improve interpretation skills. Advances in decision support software are also required in order to refine fertiliser advice to primary producers. The challenge for the future is the standardisation of procedures and maintenance of adequate quality control by the various agencies offering soil and plant testing services. The Australian Soil and Plant Analysis Council (ASPAC) will play a pivotal role in this process.

Concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus forms, calcium, sulfur and potassium in runoff from previously fertilized plots were explained on the basis of differences in slope, previous fertilizer history, and land management at three runoff sites. Data are also given for concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus forms, calcium, sulfur and potassium in runoff that occurred after superphosphate was applied. High concentrations of phosphorus forms, calcium and sulfur occurred in runoff from a storm 24 h after fertilizer application. At other times, concentrations of all measured parameters were low, and similar to those reported elsewhere.

Appreciable increases in 'available' sulphur were noted for six soils from South Gippsland after oven drying at 40�C. Oven dried soils stored at room temperature or 3�C for periods of up to 12 months showed significant increases in sulphur extractable with calcium phosphate but not in sulphur levels extractable with charcoal plus calcium phosphate. Application of toluene as a bacteriostatic agent failed to stop increases in levels of sulphur extractable with calcium phosphate, although the magnitude of the increases was reduced. No significant increase of 'available' potassium due to oven drying was noted, and the period of storage had no noticeable effects on 'available' potassium levels. Therefore soil samples may be stored for periods of at least 12 months prior to analysis.

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