Standard Nutrient Soil Test Analysis

Standard Nutrient Soil Test Analysis

Professor DeBacco


Why Soil Test?
In short to know the nutrient levels to ensure optimum plant conditions can be met.
In addition to fertilizers, knowing the soil’s pH can also help determine nutrient availability and if lime or sulfur applications are needed.



What Can The Test Determine?
pH
Plant Available…
Phosphorus
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Micronutrients
Lead and Aluminum

Why pH is So Important



Remember a Soil Test Provides Plant Available Nutrients
Remember a soil test does NOT provide total nutrients, but an estimation of the plant available nutrients.
If a plant can not use the nutrients then they are not included in a soil analysis.



What Are the Limitations?
A soil test is not the same as a soil diagnostic test that tests for diseases
Soil tests can also not determine drainage issues, environmental stresses, insect problems.



“Best” Time of Year to Test Soil Is…
Anytime the soil is not frozen.
April and May are the high volume months so this will likely slow the response time of results.
Fall is optimum especially if lime is thought to be needed since it can take a long time to activate.
This can also allow you to prepare nutrients ahead of time so you are ready to go by the time others are thinking spring;-)



How to Test the Soil…
Search out a local lab and download their instructions and required paperwork.

Be sure to read this and follow the instructions.




Link to Lecture Slides: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KXYP...

*Due to the description character limit the full work cited for "Standard Nutrient Soil Test Analysis" can be viewed at... https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ff8G...