Soil Testing and Analysis

Soil analysis is a key for your fertility program

Why is it important?

Soil tests are a valuable agronomic resource if they are fully used and properly understood. Plant nutrition and plant to soil interactions are complex mechanism with several environmental and external conditions affecting the process. There are many elements involved in plant nutrition, some of which are supplied naturally that we have little control over such as temperature and moisture, and many that are supplied by soil and or by fertilizer applications such as the major macro nutrients.

It is important when interpreting soil analysis and designing a fertility program to keep balanced nutrition, source, timing and proper placement of these nutrients in mind.

Which nutrients are tested for? And Why?

Plant nutrition and plant to soil interactions are complex mechanism with a number of environmental and external conditions affecting the process. There are 17 essential elements involved in plant nutrition, three that are supplied naturally that we have little control over and 13 that are supplied by soil and or fertilizer application.

Soil test are used to make crop recommendations -- one needs to understand what the optimum nutrient level in each soil type is, and develop a program to address any deficiencies.