Soil test interpretation guide college of agriculture. They cannot, however, identify problems due to disease, insect pests, pesticides or poor cultural practices. This book provides practical, clear and readily accessible guidelines for the general understanding and interpretation of soil test results. It is important for tutors to evaluate or assess these skills using some of the informal assessments we have in the office.
This test should be conducted on soil samples taken just prior to sidedressing just before the period of major n. Ammonium nitrogen does not usually accumulate in soil because soil temperature and moisture conditions that are suitable for tree growth are also ideal for conversion of. It has a comprehensive listing of the soil properties relevant to most environmental and natural land resource issues and investigations. 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. Fertility factsheets, bulletins and tools agronomic. The soil test report for your lawn or garden soil sample will mean little to you unless you understand the terms and numbers used. Results of clinical pathologic tests should always be interpreted with respect to what is known about the patient signalment, history, clinical signs, results of other diagnostic. To gain the most benefit from soil testing, it is important to become familiar with all aspects of your soil test report. A ph of 7 is neutral, a value greater than 7 is basic and less than 7 is acidic. Haneysoil health test information the haney test or soil health test is an integrated approach to soil testing using chemical and biological soil to soil nutrient availability as best we can in the lab.
This is information you provided upon submitting your sample. Interpreting your laboratory results wisconsin state. Very high calcium levels given the soil s texture and organic matter contentuse of an acid solution, such as the morgan, mehlich 1, or mehlich 3, to extract soils containing free limestone, causing some of the lime to dissolve. It allows you to monitor soil fertility levels, identify potential for nutrient deficiencies, and make fertilizer decisions based on the best possible information. Fertilizer w is added in increments such as 20, 40, 60, r 80 pounds per acre. The kmg ratio increased with soil depth except eroded site 1.
Interpreting your soil test results regular soil testing is a critical component of good crop production. Beginning january 1, 2016, institutions and examinees will need to contact customer service at 8007328656 to retrieve score reports for exams taken prior to 2016. Soil test reports vary from laboratory to laboratory. Results usually are reported per 100 cc cubic centimeters or a little less than a halfcup or 250 cc. Soil testing is the most accurate way to determine lime and nutrient needs. It also contains a comprehensive description of the soil properties relevant to many environmental and natural land.
Interpretations of a number of commonly used soil testsrelating test levels to generalfertility categoriesare given later in the chapter see tables 21. Interpreting a soil test report ohio state university. Based on the questions to be answered with test results, select the speci. Dear testing customers, in the new year, nln testing services is transitioning to our new test delivery system powered by questionmark. A short explanation of how to read the graphs is 23 of the way down the lefthand column of the explanation of soil test report page. Understanding and applying information from a soil test. Interpreting soil tests and micronutrient management. The primary goal of soil testing is to inform efficient and effective resource management. The nln will maintain these report records for three years from the date of the exam. Abcs for interpreting eal agricultural soil test reports. Converting between mehlich3, bray p and ammonium acetate soil test valuesanr75 new 72019 potassium supplemental tables for the tristate fertilizer recommendationstables 18 to 21 20 ph and liming. Nutrient concentrations vary with soil depth, which affects soil test results. The amount of lime needed to adjust soil ph depends on the soil type.
More specific information on interpretation of test results is given under the specific sections for hematology, hemostasis and chemistry. The results of the ttest analysis revealed that there was significant positive difference in camg ratio, kmg ratio, clay, na, %bs. Interpreting tabe assessment scores literacy rochester. Each fertilizer rate is o applied to specific plot areas or to several. Interpreting scn soil sample results plant pathology. This time of year provides an excellent opportunity to soil sample your. When you receive your soil test results, most of the numbers will be in ppm parts per million and your agent should be able to interpret the results and recommendations. The precursor to this book, what do all the numbers mean. Guide to soil testing and interpreting results 2 cornell waste management institute 15 april 2009 general procedure for sample collection 1. Develop fertilizer rates specific to your soil and crop. If a soil is acidic, a lime requirement test will be performed and the soil test results will make a lime recommendation to increase the ph. Results usually are reported per 100 cc cubic centimeters or a little less than a halfcup or 250 cc about a cup of soil. 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.
Also test whenever there is a change in appearance, taste, odor or flow. Reading and interpreting soil test reports introduction 431 lecture 1. Understanding the numbers on your soil test report fsa2118. Soil testing is also useful for identifying contaminated sites e. Interpreting tabe assessment scores mellissa woodhams 102007 3 tabe, especially levels e and m, does not evaluate a persons decoding or word analysis skills. Ratings indicates how high or low your soil is considered in each category. To determine the proper sampling depth, you must consider the purpose of. 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. The results provided on your soil test report reflect the properties of the sample. Uga soil, plant, and water laboratory when it expanded its analytical services to water testing. Losses of p by fixation and leaching depend on soil type and rainfall and are generally greater as. Soil test results will detect nutrient deficiencies, excesses or imbalances. Every crop has a required optimal ph, which can vary from 5.
A soil has liquid limit of 35%, plastic limit of 15%, flow index of % and natural water content of 18%. To convert from 100 cc of soil to 250 cc of soil, simply multiply the number of cysts or. Developing fertilizer recommendations for agriculture mt200703. Therefore, r t is possible to separate treatment effects i from effects due to soil. It covers results related to a wide range of soil properties relevant to environmental, agricultural, engineering. Soil ph and lime recommendations soil ph is a measurement of a soils acidity. Posted on may 16 2016 by sacramento valley orchards. Positive result how to proceed results a positive result indicates a strong suspicion that the foetus is affected by one of the anomalies being investigated. The spectrum analytic soil test report, see figure below, includes the. Interpreting soil test results sustainable agriculture. Soil sampling and laboratory selection mt44491 soil sampling strategies mt200803ag. 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.
Soil ph 7 and very low puse of an acid such as mehlich i or mehlich 3 on an alkaline. 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. Regular soil testing is a critical component of good crop production. It also contains a comprehensive description of the soil properties relevant to many environmental and natural land resource issues and investigations. Nutrients are applied even though the soil test level for these nutrients may be sufficient. Interpetation of test results interpretation of test results standard compaction is frequently specified for laboratory testing in britain since many deposits have a natural moisture content at, or near to, the plastic limit.
Soil acidity and liming for agronomic production agf505 soil acidificationhow to lower soil ph agf507. 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. Soil sampling and interpreting soil test results 53 samples should be taken every 3 to 4 years and at a time when the soil is dry enough to cultivate. Determine plasticity index, toughness index and liquidity index. In 1997, a new soil test report form was developed for reporting soil test results and limestone and fertilizer recommendations. This guide provides definitions of terms and the acceptable ranges for the figures listed. These results are used to develop fertilizer recommendations. P is a relatively immobile nutrient once it has entered the soil, usually remaining within a few centimetres of where it was applied. Soil test level maintenance is accomplished by fertilizing nutrients removed by crop harvest. Interpretation of soil test reports for agriculture.
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. Other useful measures on the report, such as cation exchange capacity cec, organic matter, and base saturation, further define soil factors related to nutrient. Reading and interpreting soil test reports unit overview soil analyses can help form the basis of a sound soil fertility and plant nutrition program. The pbi affects the rate at which the soil test value changes with the addition of phosphorus fertiliser. An auger, probe, or spade can be used to take soil subsamples from the top 7 inches except for notill fields in which the top 3 inches and the next 4 inches are sampled separately. Soil test interpretation guide osu extension catalog. Join tracy in this webisode to learn how to interpret them. Retest a safe well annuallyor at any time it has been repaired or modified. The soil tests were run by different procedures, to provide examples from around the u. Many labs estimate the cation exchange capacity that would exist at ph 7 or even. Interpetation of test results official portal of ukm. For each test, the document describes what is measured, recommends how and when.
Interpreting soil test results is a practical reference for those who need to interpret results from laboratory analysis of soil. Interpreting scn soil sample results extension store. The soil types of the sample area are classified according to standards for soil classification. There is also basic information on each nutrient or soil property and how it. This guide explains each soil test parameter on a soil test report.
The presidedress nitrate test psnt is an in season soil nitrate test that can be used to determine if additional fertilizer nitrogen n is needed for corn. Ammonium nitrogen nh 4n is also a plant available form of nitrogen in orchard soils and it can be determined with soil testing upon request. Interpreting a soil test report agvise laboratories. Foundation soil is that portion of ground which is subjected to additional stresses when foundation and superstructure are constructed on the ground. Results are recorded in an established format according to enterprise work procedures. Interpreting your soil test results for lawns and gardens. Interpreting soil test results what do all the numbers. Results interpretation healthcare provider ninalia nipt. Bearing capacity is the power of foundation soil to hold the forces from the superstructure without undergoing shear failure or excessive settlement. Total coliform present unsafe if your laboratory results indicate total coliform present unsafe, coliform bacteria were found in the water sample. In general, nh 4n is not determined and reported with a standard soil test. The haney test is designed to work with any soil under any management scenario because the program asks simple, universally applicable questions. A short list of common average adequate levels is at the bottom of this article. Soil in newfoundland is naturally acidic, in a ph range of 4.
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