Soil test refers to one or many of the many soil analyses done to determine various factors about the soil. One of the most common type of this process is the test conducted to determine the level of concentration of various plant nutrients. This may be done to determine the recommendations of fertilizer needed for agriculture. Some kinds of soil testing are done for engineering, ecological, or geochemical investigations.
In agriculture, soil tests are analyses done on soils to determine different characteristics. Among the characteristics that are determined are pH level, nutrient content, composition, and acidity among many others. With these tests, it is possible to determine fertility and growth potential of crops that needs to be anticipated. Growth potential often shows potential toxicities, nutrient deficiencies resulting from excessive fertility and inhibitions from availability of nonessential trace minerals.
The test is done in a way as to mimic the way roots function in assimilating minerals. The law of the maximum is used to model the expected growth rate. According to recommendations provided by researchers, a test should comprise of between ten and twenty sample points for every forty acres of land. Chemicals and tap water often alter composition of soils, which makes it necessary to test them separately.
Several factors affect the results of a test. Among this factors are timing and depth of sampling. That implies that soil components and nutrients are affected by timing. Sometimes, samples obtained from different locations are combined before being tested in what is referred to as composite sampling. It is more likely to obtain skewed results in this analysis, which means that care must be taken when testing for the results to be accurate.
Changes in soil chemistry occur over time as a result of chemical and biological processes breaking or combining compounds. The removal of soil from its natural ecosystem and environment results to a change in these processes. Some of the environmental changes that occur include solar radiation, moisture, and temperature. That implies that the longer one waits to do the analysis of the samples obtained, the more inaccurate the results are likely to be.
Performing the analysis within 24 hours of sampling improves the accuracy of results obtained. Chemical changes in the samples can be made to occur at a slower rate, but it is difficult to stop them fully. Having the samples frozen is one of the most common method used. Freezing is used when the samples are being transported or are under storage.
Another method of preserving the samples is to air dry them. Samples that are air dried can remain viable for several months. There are several other methods that have been invented for use in preserving soil samples prior to analysis.
In commercial labs, various tests are done during the analysis to target specific minerals and compounds. It is better to use local labs because they know the chemical composition of the soils in the region. Thus, the tests they conduct can reveal more useful information. Three main plant nutrients are targeted in these tests, that is, secondary, minor, and major nutrients.
In agriculture, soil tests are analyses done on soils to determine different characteristics. Among the characteristics that are determined are pH level, nutrient content, composition, and acidity among many others. With these tests, it is possible to determine fertility and growth potential of crops that needs to be anticipated. Growth potential often shows potential toxicities, nutrient deficiencies resulting from excessive fertility and inhibitions from availability of nonessential trace minerals.
The test is done in a way as to mimic the way roots function in assimilating minerals. The law of the maximum is used to model the expected growth rate. According to recommendations provided by researchers, a test should comprise of between ten and twenty sample points for every forty acres of land. Chemicals and tap water often alter composition of soils, which makes it necessary to test them separately.
Several factors affect the results of a test. Among this factors are timing and depth of sampling. That implies that soil components and nutrients are affected by timing. Sometimes, samples obtained from different locations are combined before being tested in what is referred to as composite sampling. It is more likely to obtain skewed results in this analysis, which means that care must be taken when testing for the results to be accurate.
Changes in soil chemistry occur over time as a result of chemical and biological processes breaking or combining compounds. The removal of soil from its natural ecosystem and environment results to a change in these processes. Some of the environmental changes that occur include solar radiation, moisture, and temperature. That implies that the longer one waits to do the analysis of the samples obtained, the more inaccurate the results are likely to be.
Performing the analysis within 24 hours of sampling improves the accuracy of results obtained. Chemical changes in the samples can be made to occur at a slower rate, but it is difficult to stop them fully. Having the samples frozen is one of the most common method used. Freezing is used when the samples are being transported or are under storage.
Another method of preserving the samples is to air dry them. Samples that are air dried can remain viable for several months. There are several other methods that have been invented for use in preserving soil samples prior to analysis.
In commercial labs, various tests are done during the analysis to target specific minerals and compounds. It is better to use local labs because they know the chemical composition of the soils in the region. Thus, the tests they conduct can reveal more useful information. Three main plant nutrients are targeted in these tests, that is, secondary, minor, and major nutrients.
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