Soil Analysis – A Thin Line Between the Success and Failure

Soil analysis is a practice that eliminates all doubts in decision-making process of soil management.  

Have you ever wondered what determines a successful farmer? There are many aspects of proper farm management. However, soil analysis is definitely a good start to ensure brilliant results. The role of soil analysis is extremely important in decision-making process. In other words, soil analysis is a foundation for quality farm management.  

Farming is a mechanism with many wheels. In that ‘mechanism’, the efficiency of every wheel affects the efficiency of others. For this reason, every farm management decision reflects the final success of crop production. Making of decisions without trusted data can be very risky. On the other hand, relying on the right and on-time information leads to remarkable results. Soil analysis is the perfect example how success depends on the right information. 

Soil Analysis is a farm practice of soil sampling that determines the exact amount of available crop nutrients, as well as chemical, physical, and biological soil properties.

Soil Sampling Brings the Valuable Information 

The sampling of soil provides accurate information such as: 

  • content of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients 
  • soil pH
  • humus content
  • available lime
  • organic matter
  • the real picture of chemical, physical, and biological soil properties 

Why is Soil Analysis so Important? 

The true value of information given by soil analysis is in its effect on the soil improvement. The results of a soil analysis are the best foundation for decision-making part of a farm management. For this reason, soil sampling is a sure path to a healthy soil. The Valuable data of soil sampling strongly facilitate decisions related to: 

  • fertilization management
  • liming
  • acidification of soil

Soil Analysis as a Base for Soil pH Management 

Soil pH is an essential information while managing fertilization, liming or acidification. More importantly, soil pH influences the crop’s uptake of nutrients. While managing the soil pH, farmers adjust the acidity to the point where there are no toxic metals exposed to the crops. Moreover, managing of pH influences the crop’s ability of the uptake of soil nutrients. Properly managed soil pH ensures that nutrient availability is at its maximum. 

 Since every crop has its own optimal pH range, soil analysis is a good indicator how to reach the maximum crop potential. 

Tips for a Successful Soil Sampling 

An important aspect to consider is how to ensure the proper soil sampling? Therefore, it’s essential to follow a few important guidelines in order to exploit the full potential of soil analysis.  

  1. The frequency of soil testing can make a big change. By sampling the soil as often as possible, a farmer can easily detect any changes that may affect crop yields.  
  2. Taking the samples at the same time of the year eliminates seasonal variation as a factor that could influence soil results comparison. Soil samples of annual crops should be collected immediately after the harvest. On the other hand, soil sampling of perennial crops should be taken during the dormancy stage.  
  3. Another important aspect of proper soil sampling is the collection of a representative sample from each field. That can be accomplished by taking the samples randomly. Collected samples are later mixed together and given to the laboratory analysis. Besides that, there is one additional recommendation for farmers geared towards the success: precision soil sampling and precision fertilization. In that way, farmers manage every part of their field according to its requirements.  

 

There are so many benefits in one simple practice such as soil analysis. Without the results of the soil analysis fertilization, liming or acidification seems meaningless. How to improve your soil if you don’t know what should be improved? So, explore your soil, and make decisions based on a strong information.  

Finally, if you perform soil analysis, there is one more additional touch. Keep the records of soil sampling, so you can track the changes. 

 

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  • Tasos on December 8, 2021 @ 19:12:09

This post was created by Filip Gerin on July 20, 2021.