Soil testing may refer to a single method or a collection of methods used to analyze various soil properties for various reasons. Even though there are many reasons why this process is done by farmers and other individuals, the most widespread reason is to determine the concentration of plant-available nutrients in soils. This process is becoming very common and widely available to an increasing number of farmers and other people. As a result, its cost is also going down. This is what Southern California Soil Testing services are all about.
For agricultural uses, analysis of soil sample is done to determine its contents including acidity level, available nutrients, pH level and other compositions. The analysis can easily reveal the fertility of the soil. The fertility level is an indicator of nutrient deficiencies, growth potential, and potential toxicities resulting from excessive fertility. The analysis also reveals the existence or lack of trace nutrients.
Top labs in the US recommend that 20 to 10 samples need to be collected from every forty acres of land whose fertility is to be determined. They recommended this in consideration of the fact that the composition of the soils may be altered by presence of chemicals, and tap water among other factors. Also, it is equally crucial to collect samples from varying depths and at varying time intervals since components change. Availability of nutrients also varies with depth.
It is also common for samples that have been collected from multiple locations to be mixed before they are analyzed. This technique has a name and it is composite sampling. There is always a likelihood of skewing results in this method and that is why caution and expertise are very important here. The government has also set sampling requirements that must be met when engaging in this process. It is also important to know the amount and locations of each sample used in this process. This can be done by making a reference map.
The chemistry and biology of soil samples tend to change after the samples have been extracted from their natural ecosystem. This is because in its natural ecosystem, the samples are acted upon by microorganisms that change their properties. Similarly, weather elements such as moisture, solar light, temperature cycles also play a major role. Situations have been reported where samples that were kept for too long before analysis exhibited very different properties from soils in the field.
The solution to preventing all possible discrepancies is analyzing the samples the soonest they are extracted and submitted. This period should be kept below 24 hours after extraction as recommended. However, the samples can be kept fresh and unaffected by activities of microorganisms or the weather by using applicable storage techniques. The commonly applicable techniques include air drying and freezing.
Immediately the samples are extracted, they should be placed in a refrigerated device to keep them cold. This stops the activity of microorganisms. It also shields the samples from weather, ensuring that it remains unchanged. Transportation must also be done well to avoid causing unwanted effects on samples.
Lots of commercial laboratories provide soil analysis service to both organizations and individuals. A person can send samples and get results from these labs in a few days. Using local labs is highly recommended since they understand better the chemistry of most local soils.
For agricultural uses, analysis of soil sample is done to determine its contents including acidity level, available nutrients, pH level and other compositions. The analysis can easily reveal the fertility of the soil. The fertility level is an indicator of nutrient deficiencies, growth potential, and potential toxicities resulting from excessive fertility. The analysis also reveals the existence or lack of trace nutrients.
Top labs in the US recommend that 20 to 10 samples need to be collected from every forty acres of land whose fertility is to be determined. They recommended this in consideration of the fact that the composition of the soils may be altered by presence of chemicals, and tap water among other factors. Also, it is equally crucial to collect samples from varying depths and at varying time intervals since components change. Availability of nutrients also varies with depth.
It is also common for samples that have been collected from multiple locations to be mixed before they are analyzed. This technique has a name and it is composite sampling. There is always a likelihood of skewing results in this method and that is why caution and expertise are very important here. The government has also set sampling requirements that must be met when engaging in this process. It is also important to know the amount and locations of each sample used in this process. This can be done by making a reference map.
The chemistry and biology of soil samples tend to change after the samples have been extracted from their natural ecosystem. This is because in its natural ecosystem, the samples are acted upon by microorganisms that change their properties. Similarly, weather elements such as moisture, solar light, temperature cycles also play a major role. Situations have been reported where samples that were kept for too long before analysis exhibited very different properties from soils in the field.
The solution to preventing all possible discrepancies is analyzing the samples the soonest they are extracted and submitted. This period should be kept below 24 hours after extraction as recommended. However, the samples can be kept fresh and unaffected by activities of microorganisms or the weather by using applicable storage techniques. The commonly applicable techniques include air drying and freezing.
Immediately the samples are extracted, they should be placed in a refrigerated device to keep them cold. This stops the activity of microorganisms. It also shields the samples from weather, ensuring that it remains unchanged. Transportation must also be done well to avoid causing unwanted effects on samples.
Lots of commercial laboratories provide soil analysis service to both organizations and individuals. A person can send samples and get results from these labs in a few days. Using local labs is highly recommended since they understand better the chemistry of most local soils.
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You can find a summary of the advantages you get when you use professional Southern California soil testing services at http://www.advancedgeotechnical.com/about today.
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