Understanding soil tests pastures soils soil and water. This publication provides an overview of soil testing and general guidelines for interpreting soil test results for nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, potassium, calcium, magnesium, boron, zinc, copper, manganese, iron, molybdenum, chloride, sodium, soluble salts, organic matter, cation exchange capacity, ph, and lime. Developing fertilizer recommendations for agriculture mt200703. Immobile nutrients the results for phosphorus p, potassium k, zinc zn, and other nutrient results. Four inches is good for golf turf and 6 inches is recommended for lawns and athletic fields. In 1997, a new soil test report form was developed for reporting soil test results and limestone and fertilizer recommendations. They cannot, however, identify problems due to disease, insect pests, pesticides or poor cultural practices. Interpreting mehlich 1 and 3 soil test extractant results. Other useful measures on the report, such as cation exchange capacity cec, organic matter, and base saturation, further define soil factors related to nutrient. Soil ph and limestone recommendations soil ph is a measurement of a soils acidity. Soil type is reported as the colour and the texture of the soil. Soil testing is also useful for identifying contaminated sites e. It has a comprehensive listing of the soil properties relevant to most environmental and natural land resource issues and investigations. Publications interpreting mehlich 1 and mehlich 3 soil test extractant results for p and k in tennessee pdf.
The kmg ratio increased with soil depth except eroded site 1. Soil test results that fall outside these ranges deserve a closer look. The primary goal of soil testing is to inform efficient and effective resource management. The new forms made it possible to report soil test results both numerically and graphically. See what fertilizers are recommended in the text below recommendations.
Regular soil testing is a critical component of good crop production. Interpreting lawn and garden soil test results garden, interpret, lawn, ornamental, result, soil, soil report, soil result, soil test, turf, yard the soil test report for your lawn or garden soil sample will mean little to you unless you understand the terms and numbers used. Many labs estimate the cation exchange capacity that would exist at ph 7 or even. Soil sampling should be well planned and preformed. Soil test reports vary from laboratory to laboratory. Zinc is fixed by iron on red basaltic soils, and since boron leaches easily, deficiencies are quite common on the north coast, particularly in horticultural crops. Soil analysis results must be interpreted within the context of expected yield response for the crop to be grown under specific environmental and management. Soil test level maintenance is accomplished by fertilizing nutrients removed by crop harvest. The ph scales ranges from 0 to 14, where 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is alkaline or basic. Interpretation of soil test results extension store. Appropriate analyses are summarized in this publication, and the interpretation is presented for new.
For each test, the document describes what is measured, recommends how and when. For example, a potassium soil test value of 193 ppm equates to 386 lbsacre of exchangeable k in the top six inches of soil. Guide to soil testing and interpreting results 2 cornell waste management institute 15 april 2009 general procedure for sample collection 1. The results provided on your soil test report reflect the properties of the sample. Interpreting soil test results what do all the numbers mean. Develop fertilizer rates specific to your soil and crop. To determine the proper sampling depth, you must consider the purpose of. For example, changing soil sampling depth from 3 to 6 inches will drastically change soil test results. The soil test results are used to classify the soils into a soil index for each nutrient. It also contains a comprehensive description of the soil properties relevant to many environmental and natural land. Depending on the soil analysis requested, the lab results for p, k and other elements will be shown. Simplifying soil test interpretations for turf professionals. Soil tests are particularly important for homeowners who suspect nutrient deficiencies in their plants, have overapplied nutrients.
Mississippi state university is an equal opportunity institution. Soil testing is the most accurate way to determine lime and nutrient needs. Interpretation of soil test reports for agriculture. Heavy soils have a bulk density of about 1 g per cubic centimeter. Assessing soil quality and interpreting soil test results. Union cottage, depot campus, mansfield interpretation of soil test results. Secondary and micronutrient guidelines for tennessee pdf using the presidedress nitraten soil test psnt for nitrogen management in corn production systems pdf. Soil n hort crops have high n reqmts and yields are v. Each fertilizer rate is o applied to specific plot areas or to several. Interpretations of a number of commonly used soil testsrelating test levels to generalfertility categoriesare given later in the chapter see tables 21.
Interpreting soil testing laboratory results for vegetable. These results are used to develop fertilizer recommendations. Interpreting soil testing laboratory results for vegetable crops. A test run on samples taken in november to allow time for lime applications to react for spring would not give reliable results about the nitrogen status of that soil in march. Soil test interpretation is based on the results of trials and research which have been used to calibrate soil test values to yield response. The example soil test reports are in exactly the same format as the one you received in the mail from the university of minnesota soil testing laboratory. Understanding the soil test report page 2 of 7 soil test results ph the soils level of acidity, or ph, affects the availability of nutrients to the crop. For example, the olsen or sodium bicarbonate extraction is the omafraaccredited test for phosphorus. This is information you provided upon submitting your sample. Interpreting soil test results is a practical reference enabling soil scientists, environmental scientists, environmental engineers, land holders and others involved in land management to better understand a range of soil test methods and interpret the results of these tests. Taking a soil sample correctly is the number one step for getting reliable soil test results. These converted p and k calibrations for the mehlich 3 soil test extractant as derived from the kentucky correlations and current mehlich 1 calibrations at the university of tennessee are listed in table 2. Reading and interpreting soil test reports introduction 431 lecture 1. Interpretation of soil testing results 115 recommended soil testing procedures for the northeastern united states last revised 102009 using these definitions, the break in soil test levels between the below optimum and optimum categories is fairly clear.
Fertilizer is added in increments such as 20, 40, 60, or 80 pounds per acre. Omafra fertilizer guidelines are based on the olsen. Organic matter results from partly decayed plant and animal. By numbers, the largest biological group in soil are bacteria figure 3. Assessing soil quality and interpreting soil test results introduction soil quality, in a viticultural context, can be thought of as the soils ability to support grapevine growth and the production of a crop with consideration to both yield and quality without resulting in soil degradation or harm to the environment. Based on the questions to be answered with test results, select the speci. K extractable potassium co2 is the amount available to the crop in a growing season. To obtain meaningful and accurate soil test results, it is important to collect soil samples from the correct depth and from multiple locations within a field. In this unit, students will learn how to collect soil samples for laboratory analysis, and interpret and use soil analysis report data as a tool for soil quality assessment. For example, the sample site should be far from roads, fences, tree groups, piles of fertilizers and manure or any other. Interpreting your soil test results center for agriculture. Organic carbon is a measure of the organic matter present in soil. Interpreting mehlich 1 and 3 soil test extractant results for.
It also covers soil sampling, fertilizer application methods, nutrient deficiency symptoms in plants, plant tissue analysis, nutrient uptake and removal in crops, and conversion factors. Test methods for the examination, composting and compost tmecc developed by the us composting council have been adopted by the umass soil and plant tissue lab for. The fertilizer rates listed are based on the soil test results in the bar graph to make it. It allows you to monitor soil fertility levels, identify potential for nutrient deficiencies, and make fertilizer decisions based on the best possible information. Iron, manganese and zinc are all readily available in the north coasts acid soils. Soil testing is an important tool for growing healthy lawns and gardens. Soil test results will detect nutrient deficiencies, excesses or imbalances. Interpreting soil test results sustainable agriculture. Interpreting soil test results what do all the numbers. The precursor to this book, what do all the numbers mean. Uga soil, plant, and water laboratory when it expanded its analytical services to water testing. The ph scale ranges from 1 to 14, with a ph of 7 being.
Ratings indicates how high or low your soil is considered in each category. Nutrient concentrations vary with soil depth, which affects soil test results. Soil test interpretation guide osu extension catalog. The objective of soil testing is to determine the nutrient status of a field and to provide measurement of nutrient variability. Fertilizer and lime recom mendations are also based on crop rotations, soil texture, plant variety and yield. Figures 1, 2, and 3 are the front and back of the soil information form mp188 and the soil test report form mp189 currently being used. Soil type nutrient opinion interpreting your soil test results. The interpretation section focuses on four of the important soil test results phosphorus, potassium, ph, and soluble salts and gives an explanation of them in graphical format. To get reliable results and appropriate fertilizer and lime recommendations, it is important that you submit a representative soil sample from your lawn or garden.
The results provided on your soil test report reflect the properties of the sample you submitted and the testing procedures used by the university of massachusetts soil and plant tissue testing laboratory. A soil test is an important management tool for developing an efficient soil fertility program, as well as monitoring a field for potential soil and water management problems. Interpreting soil test results mississippi state university. Using soil test results for garden fertilization university of idaho.
Soil nutrient deficiencies decrease soil quality and increase the risks of plant. Fertilizer is only recommended for a single growing season. This time of year provides an excellent opportunity to soil sample your. Plan soil sampling to allow adequate time for soil analysis and fertilizer purchase prior to application and a minimum of 10 samples should be collected and composited mixed from each. Levels of nutrients lab uses extraction techniques that approximate amount of nutrients present in soil sample that will be available within a typical growing season optimal extraction technique varies with.
Interpreting your soil test results for lawns and gardens. A soil test provides basic information on the nutrientsupplying capacity of the soil. Result interpretation department of primary industries. The soil is categorised into a soil index for each of the nutrients. Interpreting soil test results for the northern region grdc. Various other sources should be consulted for more indepth discussion of soil test interpretations and information on missouris soil testing program. Understanding the numbers on your soil test report uaex. University of tennessee fertilizer recommendations are the most profitable tested pdf. The results of the ttest analysis revealed that there was significant positive difference in camg ratio, kmg ratio, clay, na, %bs. Therefore, r t is possible to separate treatment effects i from effects due to soil. To further ensure consistency, routinely use a lab you. Nutrients are applied even though the soil test level for these nutrients may be sufficient. The procedure for interpreting the meaning f soil test indices is to use data from longo term experiments and to conduct new field alibration studies by growing crops in fields c ith a predetermined soil test value.
The procedure for interpreting the meaning of soil test indices is to use data from longterm experiments and to conduct field calibration studies by growing crops in fields with a predetermined soil test value. Read download interpreting soil test results pdf pdf. Soil availabilities vary with texture, soil moisture. Soil sampling and laboratory selection mt44491 soil sampling strategies mt200803ag. We assume that a soil sample accurately represents the soil and crop conditions in the field or area that is sampled. Interpreting soil test results for the northern region translating soil test results into kilograms of fertiliser per hectare can be a challenge, especially in the northern region, where there is the added requirement to sometimes place nutrients at depth. Interpretation of results teagasc agriculture and food.
Fertilizer w is added in increments such as 20, 40, 60, r 80 pounds per acre. Test results from regular field sampling particularly from benchmark sites allow armonitoring and detection of changes in soil parameters e. The results of the t test analysis revealed that there was significant positive difference in camg ratio, kmg ratio, clay, na, %bs. Understanding and interpreting your soil analysis report all analyses and recommendations are based on the sample as submitted to the laboratory. However, a test is not reliable if the soil sample is taken incorrectly or improperly. Discrimination in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a u.
One example contains recommendations for a home lawn and the other example contains recommendations for a vegetable garden. Both colour and texture are indicators of properties of the soil and are taken into account when interpreting other soil chemical results. The soil test to determine available phosphorus is the bray i or weak bray test. Interpreting soil test results is a practical reference for those who need to interpret results from laboratory analysis of soil.
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