Conventional Soil Analysis
Additional tests beyond those listed below may be available. Volume or grid pricing may also apply. Please contact the lab with questions.
Soil Analysis - Packages
Available Soil Analysis packages as of October 2022. Each listed package option can be expanded by clicking on the name of the package. This will provide a more detailed overview of each option showing what result information you can expect to see for each analysis package.
The Basic soil test provides a baseline measurement of soil’s fertility.
Provides:
pH
Buffer pH
Soluble Salts
Organic Matter (LOI %)
Nitrate-N (ppm)
Phosphorus (ppm)
Potassium (ppm)
Calcium (ppm)
Magnesium (ppm)
Sodium (ppm)
Sulfur (ppm)
Sum of Cations (meq/100 g soil)
Percent Base Saturation
As the most popular test, the Routine test provides all the same results as the Basic test with the addition of zinc, iron, manganese and copper to provide a more rounded representation of the soil’s fertility.
Provides:
Basic Test
Zinc (ppm)
Iron (ppm)
Manganese (ppm)
Copper (ppm)
The Complete test provides all the same results as the Routine with the addition of Boron. This test is often run if boron deficiency may be an issue in the soil.
Provides:
Routine Test
Boron (ppm)
The Complete Mehlich 3 package provides the same results as the Complete package but replaces other extracts for cations and micronutrients with the Mehlich 3 extract.
Provides:
Complete Test using Mehlich 3
Aluminum (ppm)
The ICAP Mineral Test uses the Mehlich 3 extract to measure common soil minerals without the addition of pH, soil organic matter, nitrate, etc. as is provided in the Complete Mehlich 3 package.
Provides:
Phosphorus (ppm)
Sulfur (ppm)
Potassium (ppm)
Calcium (ppm)
Magnesium (ppm)
Sodium (ppm)
Zinc (ppm)
Iron (ppm)
Manganese (ppm)
Copper (ppm)
Boron (ppm)
Aluminum (ppm)
The Nitrate test is popular for sub soil testing and shows the nitrogen availability at the depth taken (often 8+ inches).
Provides:
Nitrate-N (ppm)
The Nitrate + Sulfur test is popular for sub soil testing and shows the nitrogen and sulfur availability at the depth taken (often 8+ inches).
Provides:
Nitrate-N (ppm)
Sulfur (ppm)
Nitrate and ammonium are analyzed using the 1N KCl extract to provide a more comprehensive measure of plant available nitrogen.
Provides:
Nitrate-N (ppm)
Ammonium-N (ppm)
Total C / Total N ratio is determined using dry combustion analysis for both carbon and nitrogen and includes all forms of carbon and nitrogen found in the sample.
Provides:
Total Carbon (%)
Total Nitrogen (%)
Total C / Total N Ratio
Organic Carbon / Total Nitrogen ratio is also determined using dry combustion analysis, but the sample is pre-treated with acid to remove the inorganic forms of carbon prior to analysis. This method is preferred if your soil has a combination of high pH or excess lime and interest is in organic carbon only.
Provides:
Organic Carbon (%)
Total Nitrogen (%)
Organic C / Total Nitrogen Ratio
The Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) is used to characterize the general degradation of soil structure.
Provides:
pH
Electrical Conductivity (mmhol cm-1)
Bicarbonate (ppm)
Calcium (ppm)
Magnesium (ppm)
Sodium (ppm)
Sulfur (ppm)
Chloride (ppm)
SAR
Soil Analysis - Individual Tests
Individual testing items as of October 2022.
| Test Item | Cost | Test Item | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ammonium (KCl) | $6.50 | Organic Matter (LOI) | $6.00 |
| Boron (Hot Water) | $6.50 | Organic Carbon (Combustion) | $13.50 |
| Bulk Density (Separate Sample) | $8.00 | Total Carbon (Combustion) | $10.00 |
| Bulk Density (Sub-Sample) | $10.00 | Total Nitrogen (Combustion) | $10.00 |
| Cations (K, Ca, Mg, Na) (NH4 Acetate) | $6.50 | pH (pH, BpH-Sikora or Woodruff, EC) | $6.00 |
| Micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu) (DTPA) | $6.50 | Phosphorus (Bray P1, Bray P2, Mehlich 3, Olsen P) | $6.50 |
| Chloride (CaNO3) | $6.50 | Sulfur (Mehlich 3 ICAP) | $6.50 |
| Molybdenum (Hot Water) | $6.50 | Soil Moisture | $6.50 |
| Sample Dry Weights | $6.50 | Texture by Hydrometer | $17.50 |