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.
The tests mimic the functioning of roots in mineral assimilation. Expected growth rate is modeled using a method called the law of the maximum. It is recommended to obtain samples from between 10 and 20 sample points for every 40 acres of land that is sampled. Composition of soils often gets altered by chemicals and tap water, which calls for separate testing of such components.
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.
Biological and/or chemical processes break or combine compounds in soils after sampling, resulting in changes in the chemistry of soil over time. The chemical changes are caused by removal of soils in their environment and ecosystem. Among environmental elements that change in samples are moisture, temperature, and solar radiation. This results in inaccuracy in the results of the analysis with every minute that the sample waits before testing.
To avoid getting inaccurate results, it is often best to have the tests done within a period of twenty-four hours after sampling. The chemical changes that occur after sampling can be slowed down, but they cannot be stopped completely. The processes can be stopped by freezing the samples while they are been transported or stored for analysis to be carried out later.
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.
The tests mimic the functioning of roots in mineral assimilation. Expected growth rate is modeled using a method called the law of the maximum. It is recommended to obtain samples from between 10 and 20 sample points for every 40 acres of land that is sampled. Composition of soils often gets altered by chemicals and tap water, which calls for separate testing of such components.
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.
Biological and/or chemical processes break or combine compounds in soils after sampling, resulting in changes in the chemistry of soil over time. The chemical changes are caused by removal of soils in their environment and ecosystem. Among environmental elements that change in samples are moisture, temperature, and solar radiation. This results in inaccuracy in the results of the analysis with every minute that the sample waits before testing.
To avoid getting inaccurate results, it is often best to have the tests done within a period of twenty-four hours after sampling. The chemical changes that occur after sampling can be slowed down, but they cannot be stopped completely. The processes can be stopped by freezing the samples while they are been transported or stored for analysis to be carried out later.
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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