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Soil testingBy D. Bruce Bosley CSU Extension agent, cropping systems Soil and manure testing are the foundation of an economically and environmentally sound crop management program. Plant tissue analysis can be a useful method to assess crop nutrient status. In addition, rural homeowners should periodically test their well water to ensure it is safe for drinking. There are a number of qualified laboratories in Colorado that provide these services. Without an analysis, you may be buying unnecessary fertilizer or applying too much manure to your fields. Neither practice is sound. In some cases, a $35 soil analysis can save a crop producer thousands of dollars in unnecessary fertilizer costs. Yearly sampling of each crop field is recommended to make accurate nutrient management recommendations. Routine soil sampling also provides valuable information about soil salinity, pH and organic matter content. Obtaining a representative sample is the key to getting accurate results. For proper sampling steps, contact the analytical laboratory that will analyze your samples or see fact sheet 0.500, Soil Sampling, available from your Colorado State University Extension county office. To get a representative sample, use clean tools to collect soil cores from a variety of locations in the field or yard. Combine 20 to 30 individual samples and mix thoroughly before transferring the soil to the sample bag. Avoid or sample separately any unusual area. Including a soil core from such an area may bias the soil analysis report. Break large fields into smaller sampling units based on crop, yield and fertilizer histories. Typically, soil is collected from the top 8 to 12 inches (plow layer) for routine analysis for fertilizer recommendations. Separate subsoil samples for nitrate analysis are suggested to determine accurate N recommendations for irrigated crops, such as corn, sugar beets and wheat. Lawns and gardens also can be improved by soil analysis. Usually, about a dozen soil cores to a depth of 4 to 6 inches are adequate for a typical urban lawn or garden sample. Air dry soil samples as soon as possible by spreading them over a clean paper grocery sack (for boron analysis use plastic sheets) prior to mailing to the laboratory. Be sure to keep all samples cool until they can be air dried. For best results, deliver samples to the laboratory as soon as possible. The chemical composition of samples kept in warm, moist conditions may change substantially within just a few days and significantly alter fertilizer recommendations. Please contact me, Bruce Bosley, about this or other cropping systems or natural resources topics at 970-522-3200, extension 285 in Sterling or 970-542-3540 in Fort Morgan. 2/25/08 Date: 2/20/08
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