Soil testing in Missouri : a guide for conducting soil tests in Missouri

Abstract

Soil testing is a process or a group of processes used to estimate the ability of a soil to supply plant nutrients or support plant growth. Soil test results enable evaluation of the fertility status of soil represented by a sample. Fertilizer and lime recommendations can then be made based on the soil's fertility status. This allows prudent and economical use of fertilizer and lime while providing crops with sufficient nutrients to reach production goals set for a field. In addition, soil testing can be used to find excesses of certain nutrients. The soil testing process consists of: sampling, sample preparation, nutrient extraction and chemical determination of these nutrients, determination of pH and quantity of soil acidity, and evaluation of the tests resulting in fertilizer and lime recommendations.