scope:

This document specifies the method for the digestion of different plant biostimulants with aqua regia to enable a subsequent determination of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn). The method can be also applied for determination of other elements. The method is applicable for all solid and/or liquid plant biostimulants.

This document is also applicable to the fertilizing product blends belonging to PFC 7 where the EU fertilising product plant biostimulant contained in the blend represents the highest % by mass in the blend. In case of equal shares, the user can apply either this or the standard(s) applicable to the other component product(s).

The extracts are suitable for analysis using EN 17701-2:-¹ (ICP-AES) and EN 17701-3:-² (Hg analysis).

NOTE Alternatively, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) can be used for the determination of the elements in the aqua regia digests if the user proves that the method gives the same results.

¹ Under preparation

² Under preparation