Soil Testing Introduction
A soil test can be a valuable tool in assessing and preventing horticultural, agronomic, and some environmental problems. The tests listed in the Price List DO NOT identify plant growth problems associated with soil drainage, insects, plant diseases (whether soil-borne or not), weeds, winter injury, the misuse of pesticides, or the spillage of petroleum products.
Why Test?
- to optimize crop production.
- to protect the environment from contamination by runoff and leaching of excess fertilizers.
- to aid in the diagnosis of plant culture problems.
- to improve the soil’s nutritional balance.
- to save money and conserve energy by applying only the amount of fertilizer needed.
- to identify soils contaminated with lead or other heavy metals.
Again, pesticide residues and petroleum contaminants are not identified by these tests. Analyses for these are expensive, but may be obtained through the private sector.
To proceed, please read through the sampling instructions, price list, and order form in the links below. However, it may be simpler and more convenient for you to print our brochure as an Adobe PDF file.
Soil Testing Intro Sampling Instructions Price List HTML Order Form
| Soil Lab Home | UMass Extension | Plant & Soils Dept. | Lab Services | On-line Order Form | FAQ's |
 |
Copyright 2004 University of Massachusetts Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003. (413) 545-0111. This is an official page of the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus. |