not indicated a crop response to their use, or recommend- Table 2. Guidelines for Selecting Laboratory Tests Extension ations are more accurately made based on soil conditions and specific crop needs (nitrogen, boron, molybdenum). Test Crop Location General Conditions PB1061 Basic All The basic soil test is suggested for all crops, lawns and gardens for Selecting the Proper Tests developing and maintaining fertilization programs. Most crop fertilization problems in Tennessee are as- Basic Plus Precision Ag, The basic plus soil test is suggested for precision ag and specific sociated with the lack of and improper use of nitrogen, Problem-Solving problem-solving applications. phosphorus, potassium and lime. Therefore, the great- est need for soil test information arises from these four Calcium (Ca) Tomatoes and Peppers Tomato and pepper Sandy or light-textured soils. Where variables. The need for secondary and micronutrient soil producing areas blossom-end-rot is an annual problem. Soil tests is much less, since research and demonstrations Magnesium Tomatoes, Tobacco, Cumberland Plateau, Sandy or light-textured soils. Magnesium indicate responses are limited to certain crops and soil (Mg) Cabbage, Grapes Highland Rim deficiencies in each of these crops may be conditions. Situations where the various soil tests are induced by excessive amounts of potassium most likely needed are shown in Table 2. Tests desired for or ammonium fertilizers. each sample must be indicated on the information sheet. Testing Zinc (Zn) Corn, Snapbeans Cumberland Plateau, When soil pH is above 6.0 or lime is applied Middle Tennessee and phosphate is high. Computer Soil Test Report Iron (Fe) Ornamentals (only) Isolated or problem areas High soil pH. Results of each soil test and corresponding recom- mendations are printed by computer and mailed to the Manganese (Mn) Soybeans Isolated or problems areas Sandy or light-textured soils with a pH grower. In addition, a copy of each report is retained by above 7.0. the laboratory and one copy is sent to the grower’s county Boron (B) Tobacco All All Extension office. Each nutrient tested is reported in pounds per acre and Soluble Salts Isolated or problem areas Excessive fertilizer rates. assigned a soil test rating. The ratings for phosphorus and Organic Matter The organic matter test is offered as a guideline for the selection and use of potassium are low (L), medium (M), high (H) and very high certain HERBICIDES. Interpretations for other uses will not be made. (VH). The secondary and micronutrients tested are rated as Nitrate-Nitrogen Corn The nitrate-nitrogen test is offered to assist with nitrogen management either sufficient (S) or deficient (D). Interpretations of ratings decisions in corn production systems, especially when manures are being are printed on the back of the soil test report form. used. Recommendations for field crops are reported in pounds of plant nutrients and tons of agricultural limestone to apply per acre. For lawns and garden, recommendations are re- Greenhouse Container Media After testing, a copy of the laboratory results reported in ported in pounds of actual fertilizer grades and agricultural limestone to apply per 1,000 square feet. Recommendations Tests available for greenhouse media and the cost per parts per million (ppm) is mailed to the grower, the county for flowers and shrubs are reported in pounds per 10 and samples are indicated in Table 3. When submitting samples, Extension office and the Extension specialist. Fertilizer pounds per 100 square feet respectively. growers should complete the form “Soil and Media Information recommendations are prepared by the specialist and mailed Growers should keep a file of all soil test reports Sheet” to indicate test(s) desired. However, soil boxes may be to the grower. arranged by fields or areas. used for media samples. Two completely filled soil boxes per sample are needed to provide sufficient media for completion Pre-sidedress Nitrate-N Soil Test of the container media test. (PSNT) The laboratory offers a special soil test for nitrate-ni- Table 3. Laboratory Tests and Fees for trogen to assist with nitrogen management decisions in corn Greenhouse Container Media production systems. Samples are analyzed for nitrate-N using an ion-selective electrode procedure. The cost of analysis Test* Cost Per Sample** (Table 1) is $3 per sample for regular processing or $5 for a guarantee of results phoned or faxed within three days of pH, P, K, Ca, Mg, Ammonium sample arrival to a number which you provide. and nitrate nitrogen, soluable salts $20 07-0235 PB1061-5/07(Rev) Growers should complete the form, “Soil and Media *Determination made using saturated media extract procedure. Information Sheet,” when submitting samples for analysis. Programs in agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, and resource development. **Add $1 additional per sample for reports to be faxed. University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture and county governments cooperating. See Extension factsheet SP427 for detailed information on UT Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. the PSNT procedures. Soil Testing ations are to be made. A composite sample should be collected, packaged and mailed. Wet samples are difficult to handle, consisting of small portions of soil taken from approximately more subject to being lost during mailing and greatly delay Depth of Sampling 20 locations. For field crops, soil portions should be taken laboratory testing. Wet samples cannot be analyzed for Hubert J. Savoy, Associate Professor, from an area not to exceed 10 acres (Figure 1). For lawns and nitrate-nitrogen. Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science gardens, soil portions should be collected at random from eight originally written by to 10 locations. Areas of contrasting soils, problem spots or How Often to Test Soils John R. Jared, Professor Emeritus, Plant and Soil Science portions of fields where crop response is significantly differ- The following general guidelines may be used to de- 1-inch Strip ent should be sampled separately, provided the area can be termine how often soils should be tested. However, the fre- Growers who follow soil test recommendations can fertilized separately. quency can vary depending upon cropping intensities, soil expect higher fertilizer efficiency, more balanced nutrient types, fertilization rates, tillage methods, weather conditions levels for crops and optimum benefits from their lime and Field No. 2 (10 Acres) and new research findings. fertilizer investments. Thus, soil testing should be the first 1. Continuous Row Crops (conventional) - every two to step in planning a sound fertilization program. With a soil Figure 3. Removing a portion of soil from a soil slice. three years. test, the guesswork of knowing how much lime and fertilizer 2. Double-Cropping Systems - every two years. to apply is eliminated. 3. Continuous No-Till Soybeans (only) - every three to five years. The Concept of Soil Testing 4. Continuous No-Till Corn or Cotton - every two years. When you submit a sample to the University of 5. Hay Systems - every two years. Tennessee Soil, Plant and Pest Center, modern chemical 6. High-Value Cash Crops (Tobacco, Vegetables) - analyses are combined with up-to-date research to make Figure 1. Sampling pattern for collecting a annually. each lime and fertilizer recommendation. Levels of available representative soil sample. 7. Lawns, Gardens and Pasture Crops - every three to nutrients present in the soil are determined in the laboratory, five years. while nutrient needs and fertilizer responses are determined 8. Any time a nutrient problem is suspected. by the Agricultural Experiment Station on the major soil 9. At the beginning of a different cropping rotation. types across the state. As a result, the university’s soil testing Figure 4. Mixing and packaging a soil sample. program is geared to the crops and soils in Tennessee, and Laboratory Tests and Fees provides a vehicle for carrying the latest scientific information The University of Tennessee Soil, Plant and Pest Center to individual growers. K, micronutrients and organic matter, take soil samples to a is located at the Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville. It 6 in. depth of 6 inches. For NO-TILL row crops, collect the sample Information Sheets and Sample Boxes Deep to a depth of 6 inches for pH and nutrient determinations is equipped for routine soil analysis to make lime and fertilizer recommendations and offers its services to all Tennesseans. Information sheets, soil sample boxes and sampling in- and to a depth of 2 inches for organic matter determinations. The Mehlich No. 1 (Double Acid) extractant for nutrient structions should be obtained from your local UT Extension For determination of soluble salts, sample within the root- Figure 2. Soil sampling tools and depth to sample determinations and a Buffer for measuring lime requirements office. These materials provide necessary information and for pH, P, K and micronutrients. ing zone of the affected crop or the expected rooting zone are presently used by the laboratory. guidelines for collecting and mailing samples to the labora- if sample is taken prior to crop establishment. For the corn Soil tests available and the cost per sample are listed tory. The F394 "Soil and Media Information Sheet" should pre-sidedress nitrate-nitrogen test, collect samples to a depth in Table 1. be filled out as accurately as possible. Sampling Tools and Depths to Sample of 12 inches. Routine tests for other nutrients are not offered because For each sample number listed in the left column, you Several types of tools can be used for collecting soil Soil portions for each composite sample should be placed either University of Tennessee research and field trials have may request up to three recommendations. Use the UT crop samples. One is the soil tube or probe. A uniform portion of into a clean container and thoroughly mixed. From this, re- codes list to determine the appropriate codes to list under the soil is collected rapidly and accurately by pushing the tube move enough soil to fill a sample box (Figure 4). When sam- Table 1. Laboratory Tests and Fees for Field, “Crop Code” column. If your crop is not coded or if you are into the ground to the desired depth and removing a soil core pling for nitrate-nitrogen, the sample should be thoroughly Lawn and Garden Samples* uncertain about which code to choose, then list the name of (Figure 2). dried within 36 hours to obtain the best results. Test Cost per Sample* the crop in place of a code. When codes are not used, you The most common tool used is a shovel or spade. With must also, for perennial crops, indicate whether the recom- this tool, a uniform portion of soil is collected by first making When to Sample 1. Basic (pH, Buffer pH, P, K, Ca, Mg, calculated mendation is needed for establishment or for maintenance of a V-shaped cut into the soil to the depth of sampling. Next, a Although soils can be tested any time during the year, CEC and base saturation) $6 an existing crop. 1-inch thick vertical slice of soil to the same depth is removed fall is a very desirable time. Fields are usually drier and more 2. Basic Plus ( all the above, plus Zn, Mn, Fe, Na, B) $15 Soil sample boxes should be properly labeled with from the smoothest side of the cut (Figure 2). From this, a accessible and the laboratory is less rushed than in the spring. 3. Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Manganese, Iron, Boron, sample numbers corresponding to those shown on infor- 1-inch strip of soil the length of the slice is removed, as indi- Also, testing in the fall allows recommended rates of lime, mation sheets. cated in Figure 3. If other tools are used for sampling (garden phosphate and potash to be applied well in advance of spring Copper, Sodium $3 each trowel, auger, etc.), make sure that a uniform amount of soil planting. By sampling at approximately the same time each 4. Soluble Salts (1 Soil:2 Water V/V) $4 The Sampling Area is collected to the desired depth from a sufficient number of year, it is easier to compare soil test results with previous 5. Organic Matter $5 Soil test results can be no better than the sample collected. sites within the sampling area. results from the same field. 6. Nitrate-Nitrogen $3 - $5** Thus, each soil sample submitted to the laboratory should be Remove organic debris, rocks and trash from the soil sur- Soils should be dry enough to till when sampling. If wet *Add an additional $1 per sample for reports to be faxed. representative of the area for which fertilizer recommend- face before collecting the sample. For determination of pH, P, samples are collected, they should be air-dried before being **Rush test includes fee for fax.