AGRISCIENCE EXERCISE
Environmental Resource Systems
Key Concept:
Soil Nutrients and Fertility
Sub-Concept:
Interpretation of Soil Analysis and Recommendations
Agricultural Context:
Soil testing and analysis is important for calculating costs
involved with managing land and the crops/livestock being
produced from that land.
Exercise:
Interpret results of commercial soil analysis
Goals:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Describe the purpose of soil testing.
Name the agency responsible for soil testing.
Interpret an information sheet received from a soil
testing facility.
Calculate cost of following recommendations given on
soil analysis information sheet.
Materials:
Soil test information sheets
Soil sample cartons
Soil samples from previous exercise
References:
Instructional Materials Service. (1994). Commercial Soil
Testing Procedures Lesson Plan. IMS, Texas A & M
University, College Station, TX.
TEACHER'S NOTE:
This activity can is designed to follow the soil sampling activity and can easily be
combined in the same class period. The examples of the soil analyses and
recommendations should be discussed with the class and have them speculate what
the results of their sample will be. You may wish to send in two cartons of one sample,
designating that one is intended for crop production and the other for a lawn. The
recommendations can then be compared to show students the importance of
completely and properly filling out the preliminary information. Cost of soil additives
such as fertilizers should be provided for students or contact information for a fertilizer
dealer should be provided.
Procedures for Conducting the Activity:
1. Identify a field from which the soil sample will be taken
2. Fill one carton with one sample taken from the previous soil sampling exercise.
3. Complete the soil test information sheet provided by the testing agency.
4. Take all samples to the testing agency.
5. Use the three soil analysis reports for a class discussion about the uses of soil
tests
6. When results are returned, discuss the following items:
a. What information is provided on the analysis sheet?
b. What recommendations are made for improving the soil?
7. Calculate the cost of carrying out the recommendations made. Call local fertilizer
dealers to obtain needed price information or use pricing information provided
for you.
AGRISCIENCE EXERCISE
Environmental Resource Systems
Student Data/Information Sheet
Key Concept:
Soil Nutrients and Fertility
Sub-Concept:
Interpretation of Soil Analysis and Recommendations
Agricultural Context:
Soil testing and analysis is important for calculating costs
involved with managing land and the crops/livestock being
produced from that land.
Exercise:
Interpret results of commercial soil analysis
Goals:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Describe the purpose of soil testing.
Name the agency responsible for soil testing.
Interpret an information sheet received from a soil
testing facility.
Calculate cost of following recommendations given on
soil analysis information sheet.
Materials:
Soil test information sheets
Soil sample cartons
Soil samples from previous exercise
References:
Instructional Materials Service. (1994). Commercial Soil
Testing Procedures Lesson Plan. IMS, Texas A & M
University, College Station, TX.
Procedures for Conducting the Activity:
8. Identify a field from which the soil sample will be taken
9. Fill one carton with one sample taken from the previous soil sampling exercise.
10. Complete the soil test information sheet provided by the testing agency.
11. Take all samples to the testing agency.
12. Use the three soil analysis reports for a class discussion about the uses of soil
tests
13. When results are returned, discuss the following items:
a. What information is provided on the analysis sheet?
b. What recommendations are made for improving the soil?
14. Calculate the cost of carrying out the recommendations made. Call local fertilizer
dealers to obtain needed price information or use pricing information provided
for you.
COMMERCIAL SOIL TESTING
PURPOSE
- Soil testing indicates the amounts of various plant nutrients present in the soil in forms
available for plant use
- Soil tests serve two primary functions:
1.
As a diagnostic tool, soil tests show certain problems such as salinity, excess
acidity or alkalinity, and nutrient imbalance. Soil tests do NOT indicate physical
properties of a soil or the presence of insects or diseases.
2.
Soil tests give suggestions for applying plant nutrients. These recommendations
are based on the nutrient levels in the sample, the crop to be grown, cropping
history, past yields, past fertilizer applications, irrigation and liming practices, and
expected or desired yields. So, information provided through a soil analysis helps
a producer make better and more profitable soil management decisions.
TECHNIQUES OF SOIL TESTING
- Commercial testing laboratories generally use chemical testing methods to measure
the amounts of plant nutrients available in the soil.
- Some instruments used include:
a.
b.
c.
d.
pH meters to measure alkalinity/acidity levels
photoelectric colorimeters to determine phosphorus content
flame photometers to measure potassium and sodium levels
atomic absorption spectrophotometers to indicate the amounts of calcium
magnesium, and micro-nutrients (manganese, iron, copper, and zinc)
- Some computerized soil analysis systems are now being developed to provide faster
and better soil analyses.
What to except from a soil analysis and recommendation.
Included is an example of three soil analyses, with two having the corresponding
recommendations.
In class discuss each component of the analysis and recommendation.
Soil Test #1
AGRICULTURE DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS, FAYETTEVILLE
RESEARCH SOIL SAMPLES
ADDRESS:
CSES
NAME: DR. KRIS BRYE
ARRIVED: 4-22-02
CO-RESEARCHER:
LOGGED: 6-28-02
PHONE:5-5742
OUT: 7-12-02 nw
SAVE SAMPLES: YES
STUDY: STAMP PRAIRIE
COST CENTER #:
PROCEDURES: MEHLICH 3 (1:10) , ICP, PH & EC (1:2 WATER)
UMHOS/CM
-------------------------------------------------------------lbs/A----------------------------------------------
%
%Total
LOI
%Total
LAB #
I.D.
pH
EC
P
K
Ca
Mg
Na
S
Fe
Mn
Zn
Cu
Nitrogen Carbon
23662
1
5.00
91
32
145
1454
200
44
56
306
195
4.2
4.8
5.90
0.302
3.357
23663
2
4.64
93
34
173
658
88
37
84
340
181
4.0
4.0
6.08
0.2902
3.389
23664
3
4.74
89
29
150
784
113
40
68
342
146
3.8
4.3
5.45
0.2431
2.831
23665
4
4.75
73
28
138
450
71
33
65
336
104
2.8
4.5
5.04
0.221
2.541
23666
5
4.67
92
31
160
638
88
51
70
365
124
3.0
3.7
5.28
0.2292
2.575
Soil Test #2 with recommendations
Above recommendations for crop 1: 50 lb N/A; 50 lb P 2O5/A; 100 lb K2O/A; 25 ton Lime/A
Since a crop 2 was not specified the above recommendations for crop 2 are: 0 lb N/A;
0 lb P2O5/A; 0 lb K2O/A; 0.0 ton Lime/A
Since a crop 3 was not specified the above recommendations for crop 3 are: 0 lb N/A;
0 lb P2O5/A; 0 lb K2O/A; 0.0 ton Lime/A
Soil Test #2 with recommendations
Above recommendations for crop 1: 60 lb N/A; 0 lb P 2O5/A; 0 lb K20/A; 2.5 ton Lime/A