Soil analysis - to identify limiting factors

Why use soil analysis?

Acquiring and utilising accurate information such as soil analysis data is fundamental to many decisions made in the agricultural, horticultural, environmental and amenity sectors.

For plant and crop production, it enables planning a fertiliser programme that is accurate, timely and -- increasingly important -- environmentally responsible. 

In short, soil testing provides the critical information required to ensure all crop nutrition decisions are accurate, efficient, cost-effective and responsible.

What to analyse? 

Most of the work, and cost, of analysis is in the sampling and transporting the sample to the laboratory. Once the sample has arrived there are a wide range of tests that can be conducted so it makes sense to get as much information as possible from the sample.

Nutrient analysis 

Soil analysis provides an inventory of the available nutrients and provides the background to build a nutrient management plan. Basic soil analysis in the UK includes P, K, Mg and pH, but this analysis only provides a part of the information needed as other nutrients can be limit crop growth. In order to get the most from a soil sample it is important to analyse for all nutrients using a full broad spectrum analysis.

Chemical and physical analysis 

The physical and chemical characteristics of the soil need to be considered before making any soil management decisions or planning a nutrient application strategy. Soil pH, Cation Exchange Capacity, organic matter and soil texture all have an impact on how we manage our soils and crops.

Biological analysis

An active population of soil organisms is essential to a healthy soil; they contribute to the re-cycling of nutrients from the humus, organic matter and soil particles, making them available for plant uptake. Together with organic matter, a biological analysis provides a rounded picture of the soil’s overall health and its potential for producing high yielding, quality crops.

What analysis packages are available ?

Soil broad spectrum (BS)

This is our most popular soil analysis package as this gives the nutrient levels for all twelve plant nutrients and ensures no deficiency is missed and also includes CEC pH and calculates the lime requirement. The report also interprets the results compared to benchmark levels and gives recomendations to avoid deficiencies.  The nutrients included in this analysis are:

P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn, Na, CEC, pH, Lime Requirement

Soil broad spectrum extra (BSE)

This is our complete soil chemical and physical analysis package including all twelve plant nutrients together with  CEC pH lime requirement and organic matter ans soil textural classification.. The report also interprets the results compared to benchmark levels and gives recomendations to avoid deficiencies.  The nutrients included in this analysis are:

P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn, Na, CEC, pH, Lime Requirement
plus
Organic Matter, Sand %, Silt %, Clay % and soil texture classification

Soil biology basic (SBB)

Total Bacteria, Total Fungi, and Ratios

Soil biology extra (SBE)

Total Bacteria, Total Fungi, Active Bacteria, Active Fungi, Hyphal Diameter and Ratios

Soil biology complete (SBC)

Total Bacteria, Total Fungi, Active Bacteria, Active Fungi, Hyphal Diameter and Ratios, Protozoa (Flagellates, Amoebae, Ciliates)

Animal health soil (AHS)

P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn, Na, Co, I, CEC, pH, Lime Requirement

Animal health soil (Se) (AHSa)

P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn, Na, Co, Se, CEC, pH, Lime Requirement