Soil Testing MethodsWhat kinds of soil test do we specify?
A chemical extraction to see all the chemicals in the soil.
A soluble paste (water extraction to see what is soluble in the soil.
What is a chemical extraction?
A chemical extraction utilizes a weak acid to remove only the most available nutrients from the soil particles. Most chemical extractions use either ammonia acetate or Mehlich 3 acids. This method of soil nutrient measurement is a measure of the potential of the soil to delivery ionized (soluble) nutrients to the root for assimilation and pant metabolism. This does not, however, indicate specific availability at any given time.
What does ITS recommend?
Redox recommends the use of both chemical and water soluble (past) soil test in a attempt to accumulate as much information as possible concerning the ability of the soil to provide fertility to the growing plant. Through identifying both the potential availability (chemical extraction) as well as the actual availability (past or water soluble), it is possible to provide a more accurate analysis of the needs of the soil environment related to nutrient availability.
