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 the field of agriculture, soil tests refer to the analyses of soils, which are performed to determine various characteristics. Some of the characteristics determined include acidity, pH level, nutrient content, and composition among several others. These tests are used to determine fertility and the growth potential of crops that should be expected. The growth potential often indicates potential toxicities, nutrient deficiencies caused by excessive fertility and inhibitions presented by availability of non-essential trace minerals.
Tests mimic how roots function when assimilating minerals. Modeling of expected growth rate is done using the law of the maximum. One is recommended to get their samples from 20 to 40 sample points for every 160000 square meters of land they intend to analyze. Tap water and chemicals usually alter soil composition, requiring their testing to be done separately.
The test results obtained can be affected by various factors. These factors include timing and the depth at which the sample is obtained. That means that timing affects soil nutrients as well as components. At times, samples that are obtained from various locations can be mixed and then tested in what is called composite sampling. Composite sampling often leads to skewed results if enough caution is not taken during the analysis.
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.
The accuracy of results of the analysis can be improved if the analysis is performed within 24 hours of sampling. It is possible to slow down chemical changes that take place after sampling, but it is not possible to stop them completely. Freezing is one of the methods that can be used to stop the processes during transportation and storage of sample.
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 a commercial lab, various tests are conducted on the samples to target certain compounds and minerals. Local labs are usually informed about the chemistry of the soils in an area. Hence, they are likely to perform tests that more accurately reveal useful information. There are three main plant nutrients that are targeted in any test, that is, minor, secondary, and major nutrients.
In the field of agriculture, soil tests refer to the analyses of soils, which are performed to determine various characteristics. Some of the characteristics determined include acidity, pH level, nutrient content, and composition among several others. These tests are used to determine fertility and the growth potential of crops that should be expected. The growth potential often indicates potential toxicities, nutrient deficiencies caused by excessive fertility and inhibitions presented by availability of non-essential trace minerals.
Tests mimic how roots function when assimilating minerals. Modeling of expected growth rate is done using the law of the maximum. One is recommended to get their samples from 20 to 40 sample points for every 160000 square meters of land they intend to analyze. Tap water and chemicals usually alter soil composition, requiring their testing to be done separately.
The test results obtained can be affected by various factors. These factors include timing and the depth at which the sample is obtained. That means that timing affects soil nutrients as well as components. At times, samples that are obtained from various locations can be mixed and then tested in what is called composite sampling. Composite sampling often leads to skewed results if enough caution is not taken during the analysis.
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.
The accuracy of results of the analysis can be improved if the analysis is performed within 24 hours of sampling. It is possible to slow down chemical changes that take place after sampling, but it is not possible to stop them completely. Freezing is one of the methods that can be used to stop the processes during transportation and storage of sample.
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 a commercial lab, various tests are conducted on the samples to target certain compounds and minerals. Local labs are usually informed about the chemistry of the soils in an area. Hence, they are likely to perform tests that more accurately reveal useful information. There are three main plant nutrients that are targeted in any test, that is, minor, secondary, and major nutrients.
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