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.
From an agricultural point of view, soil tests are tests conducted on soil samples for the determination of their characteristics. Nutrient content, composition, acidity, and pH level are among the characteristics that are determined by these tests. Through these tests, one can determine growth potential for crops to expect and its fertility. Growth potential reveals nutrient deficiencies and potential toxicities that come from too much fertility and inhibitions of nonessential trace minerals.
The test is done in a way as to mimic the way roots function in assimilating minerals. The law of the maximum is used to model the expected growth rate. According to recommendations provided by researchers, a test should comprise of between ten and twenty sample points for every forty acres of land. Chemicals and tap water often alter composition of soils, which makes it necessary to test them separately.
The results of a test are often affected by several factors. Some of the most important ones include depth below the ground and timing. That implies that the timing of the test can affect the composition of nutrients and components of soils. A certain kind of soil test referred to as composite sampling is carried out by combining soils from multiple locations before analysis is done. However, in this kind of analysis, care must be taken to avoid skewing results.
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.
Performing the analysis within 24 hours of sampling improves the accuracy of results obtained. Chemical changes in the samples can be made to occur at a slower rate, but it is difficult to stop them fully. Having the samples frozen is one of the most common method used. Freezing is used when the samples are being transported or are under storage.
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 commercial labs, the tests done usually aim to establish presence or absence of specific compounds and/or minerals. One is advised to use local labs because of the extensive knowledge they have on local soils. This kind of knowledge enables them to conduct more targeted tests to reveal more helpful information. Major, minor, and secondary nutrients are the three key plant nutrients that are targeted in the tests.
From an agricultural point of view, soil tests are tests conducted on soil samples for the determination of their characteristics. Nutrient content, composition, acidity, and pH level are among the characteristics that are determined by these tests. Through these tests, one can determine growth potential for crops to expect and its fertility. Growth potential reveals nutrient deficiencies and potential toxicities that come from too much fertility and inhibitions of nonessential trace minerals.
The test is done in a way as to mimic the way roots function in assimilating minerals. The law of the maximum is used to model the expected growth rate. According to recommendations provided by researchers, a test should comprise of between ten and twenty sample points for every forty acres of land. Chemicals and tap water often alter composition of soils, which makes it necessary to test them separately.
The results of a test are often affected by several factors. Some of the most important ones include depth below the ground and timing. That implies that the timing of the test can affect the composition of nutrients and components of soils. A certain kind of soil test referred to as composite sampling is carried out by combining soils from multiple locations before analysis is done. However, in this kind of analysis, care must be taken to avoid skewing results.
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.
Performing the analysis within 24 hours of sampling improves the accuracy of results obtained. Chemical changes in the samples can be made to occur at a slower rate, but it is difficult to stop them fully. Having the samples frozen is one of the most common method used. Freezing is used when the samples are being transported or are under storage.
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 commercial labs, the tests done usually aim to establish presence or absence of specific compounds and/or minerals. One is advised to use local labs because of the extensive knowledge they have on local soils. This kind of knowledge enables them to conduct more targeted tests to reveal more helpful information. Major, minor, and secondary nutrients are the three key plant nutrients that are targeted in the tests.
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