Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN)
The Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN) was established in 2017 to build and strengthen the capacity of laboratories in soil analysis and to respond to the need for harmonizing soil analytical data. The harmonization of methods, units, and data, and information is critical to: (a) provide reliable and comparable information across countries and laboratories, (b) generate harmonized soil data at various scales, (c) support soil monitoring and provide information for sustainable soil management, and evidence-based decision-making.
GLOSOLAN aims to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the mandate of FAO on food security and nutrition.
Functions, duties and more
To strengthen the quality and consistency of soil analysis worldwide by connecting soil laboratories and building laboratory capacity through standardized practices, training, and multi-level collaboration.
- Facilitate the establishment of global, regional, and national networks to connect soil laboratories, promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing;
- Develop harmonized Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines to ensure the comparability and consistency of soil data across different soil laboratories;
- Strengthen soil laboratory capacity by providing targeted training programs focused on equipment management, staff expertise, and good laboratory practices to ensure the generation of reliable data;
- Monitor soil laboratories' needs and capacities by conducting proficiency testing at different scales; and
- Raising awareness of the importance of soil laboratory capacity and soil analysis quality.
Registering your soil laboratory with GLOSOLAN offers the opportunity to:
- Connect with other laboratories locally, regionally and globally;
- Participate in GLOSOLAN proficiency testing;
- Receive training on topics such as internal and external quality control, health and safety, standard operating procedures, soil spectroscopy, use and maintenance of equipment and more;
- Stay informed about GLOSOLAN and regional events as well as the release of new documents and training materials; and
- Raising awareness of the importance of soil laboratory capacity and soil analysis quality.
All soil laboratories are welcome to join GLOSOLAN and its Regional Soil Laboratory Networks (RESOLANs).
To register, please complete the application form (available in English, Español and Français). Once your application is processed, your laboratory will be added to the interactive map.
Upon registration, your laboratory will receive a letter of registration. Please note these documents DO NOT certify the proficiency of laboratories in soil analysis and cannot be used to state that a laboratory is certified under GLOSOLAN or has demonstrated proficiency in soil analysis. It also does not authorize you to act on behalf of FAO or its Global Soil Partnership (GSP) in any capacity.
GLOSOLAN Chair and vice-Chair
The Chair of the network is appointed during the GLOSOLAN annual meeting. The Chair serves a two-year term following election, which may be extended for a second term by decision of GLOSOLAN. Whenever possible, the Chair is supported in all activities and responsibilities by a Vice-Chair.
2025–2027
2023–2025
2021 - 2023
The Chair and vice-Chair are supported in all their activities by the GLOSOLAN Steering Committee and the GLOSOLAN coordinators from the Global Soil Partnership Secretariat.
GLOSOLAN Steering Committee
The Steering Committee is composed of the GLOSOLAN Chair, Vice-Chair, GLOSOLAN coordinators and up to five advisors. Members are nominated to ensure a balanced representation of regions, gender and expertise. The term lasts two years and is extendable to a second term.
2023–2025
2021–2023
GLOSOLAN Technical Committee
The Technical Committee is composed of no more than twenty 20 members, with at least one representative from each RESOLAN. Candidates will be selected by the GLOSOLAN coordinators, the GLOSOLAN Chair and Vice-Chairs, and the RESOLAN Chairs based on their knowledge, experience and technical competence in GLOSOLAN's areas of work as well as their commitment to GLOSOLAN and the time they can dedicate to this role. The term of the GLOSOLAN Steering Committee is two years, extendable to a second term.
2025 - 2027
2021 - 2023
Areas of work
-quality-control-(qc).jpg?sfvrsn=42c722c4_1)
Events
Upcoming lab health & safety webinar (in Spanish)
29/09/2026
Este seminario web destacará temas clave de seguridad en el laboratorio, incluyendo la correcta manipulación de materiales peligrosos, la higiene...
Soil labaratory networks
Regional soil laboratory networks
Countries are organized into Regional Soil Laboratory Networks (RESOLANs), the skeleton of GLOSOLAN.
After the successful establishment of the Regional Soil Laboratory Networks for Asia (SEALNET) in 2017, Latin America (LATSOLAN) in 2018, and the Pacific (ASPAC), Africa (AFRILAB), Europe and Eurasia (EUROSOLAN) in 2019, GLOSOLAN successful launched the Regional Soil Laboratory Network for the Near East and North Africa (NENALAB) on 9 June 2020.
Explore the regional networks hereFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I register my laboratory in GLOSOLAN?
Register your lab in GLOSOLAN by completing this application form .
Once your application is processed, your laboratory will appear on the interactive map. Upon registration, all laboratories receive a letter of participation. Please note that this document does not certify the proficiency of laboratories in soil analysis and cannot be used as proof of certification.
Why is it useful to register my laboratory in GLOSOLAN?
Registering your laboratory provides the opportunity to:
- Connect with other laboratories in your country, region, or globally;
- Participate in GLOSOLAN proficiency tests;
- Receive training on quality control, health and safety, SOPs, soil spectroscopy, and equipment use;
- Stay up to date on GLOSOLAN activities, regional events, and new publications.
Publications
Standard operating procedure for soil total nitrogen - Dumas dry combustion method
2021
This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) describes, in general terms, the quantification of TN content in soil samples by an elemental analyzer. The...
Standard operating procedure for soil total carbon - Dumas dry combustion method
2021
SOPs aim to achieve efficiency, quality of output and uniformity of performance while reducing miscommunication and failure to comply with laboratory...
Standard operating procedure for soil pH determination
2021
Soils are referred to as being acid, neutral, or alkaline, depending on their pH, with 7 being neutral, below 7 acidic and above 7 alkaline. The pH...
Standard operating procedure for soil organic matter using the loss on ignition method
2026
This standard operating procedure (SOP) provides a harmonized method for determining soil organic matter (SOM) content using the loss on ignition (LOI)...
Standard operating procedure for soil organic carbon: Tyurin spectrophotometric method
2021
This protocol applies to the determination of the oxidizable organic carbon content in the soil. The organic carbon content is calculated from the amount...
Standard operating procedure for soil organic carbon. Walkley-Black method: titration and colorimetric method
2021
SOPs aim to achieve efficiency, quality of output and uniformity of performance, while reducing miscommunication and failure to comply with laboratory...
Standard operating procedure for soil nitrogen - Kjeldahl method
2021
This standard operating procedure (SOP) describes, in general terms, the quantification of the Kjeldahl nitrogen(KjN) content in soil samples. The advantages...
Standard operating procedure for soil moisture content by gravimetric method
2023
Soil moisture content is one of the fundamental properties used in making decisions related to soil management, such as land preparation, design of...
Standard operating procedure for soil microbial biomass (carbon): chloroform fumigation-extraction method
2025
This standard operating procedure (SOP) focuses on the determination of soil microbial biomass using the chloroform fumigation-extraction method, which...
Standard operating procedure for soil enzyme activities: β-glucosidases, arylsulfatase, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, dehydrogenase, phosphomonoesterases
2025
This standard operating procedure (SOP) has been harmonized by the joint working group of the FAO's Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN) and the...
Standard operating procedure for soil electrical conductivity (soil/water, 1:5)
2021
This method determines the electrical conductivity (EC) of a soil/water suspension in the ratio of one:five (1:5). Aqueous extracts of soil samples...
Standard operating procedure for soil calcium carbonate equivalent - volumetric calcimeter method
2021
SOPs aim to achieve efficiency, quality of output and uniformity of performance, while reducing miscommunication and failure to comply with laboratory...
Standard Operating Procedure for soil calcium carbonate equivalent - titrimetric method
2021
SOPs aim to achieve efficiency, quality of output and uniformity of performance, while reducing miscommunication and failure to comply with laboratory...
Standard operating procedure for soil bulk density, cylinder method
2024
Soil bulk density is an indicator of soil compaction and soil health and is an important factor to consider when assessing the physical behaviour of...
Standard operating procedure for soil available phosphorus - Mehlich I Method
2021
Mehlich I method is suitable for determining bioavailable P in acid soils with low cation exchange capacity; (CEC) less than 10 cmolc kg-1. The amount...
Standard operating procedure for soil available phosphorus - Bray I and Bray II method
2021
P-Bray 1 and P-Bray 2 methods are normally limited to acid soils with water pH values less than 6.8. The P-Bray 1 Method removes a fraction of the “adsorbed”...
Standard operating procedure for soil available micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) and heavy metals (Ni, Pb, Cd), DTPA extraction method
2023
The method provides a potential indicator of the plant available copper, iron, manganese and zinc, which are essential soil micronutrients for plant...
Standard operating procedure for quasi total elements in soil by acid digestion, including heavy metals
2023
This method is applicable to the determination of trace element metals (MTE) as well as metalloids in soils by acid digestion using aqua regia.
Standard operating procedure for heavy metal determination in phosphate fertilizer materials
2024
The globally harmonized protocol for detecting heavy metals in fertilizers was developed with the assistance of 85 laboratories from 60 countries. Its...
Photogallery
Video
GLOSOLAN 5th Birthday
22/11/2022
2022 marks an important milestone for GLOSOLAN as it celebrates five years of success and achievements. Laboratories from around the world are gathered...