Lancrop - Interpreting Soil Analysis

Technical Note:
Soil Analysis Interpretation
Soil analysis interpretation

Why take a soil sample?
In Justus von Liebig’s Law of Minimum he stated that plant

growth is not controlled by the total amount of resources
available, but by the scarcest resource or the limiting factor.
Limiting factors could be the climate/weather, the soil, water,

variety/seed, nutrient availability, weeds and pests, and many
others, but to manage these factors it is important to measure
them and understand those that are limiting.
Soil analysis gives the background knowledge on the chemical,

physical and biological status of the soil that we need in order to
mange our soils and our crops.
What to analyse?
Most of the work, and cost, of analysis is in the sampling and

transporting the sample to the laboratory.
Once the sample has arrived there are a wide range of tests that can be conducted that give a lot of
information about that soil and start to identify those limiting factors.
Nutrient analysis
Soil analysis provides an inventory of the available nutrients and provides the background to build a
nutrient management plan. Basic soil analysis in the UK includes P, K, Mg and pH, but this analysis only
provides a part of the information needed as other nutrients can be limit crop growth. In order to get the
most from a soil sample it is important to analyse for all nutrients using a full broad spectrum analysis.
Chemical and physical analysis

The physical and chemical characteristics of the soil need to be considered before making any soil
management decisions or planning a nutrient application strategy. Soil pH, Cation Exchange Capacity,
organic matter and soil texture all have an impact on how we manage our soils and crops.
Biological analysis
An active population of soil organisms is essential to a healthy soil; they contribute to the re-cycling of
nutrients from the humus, organic matter and soil particles, making them available for plant uptake.
Together with organic matter, a biological analysis provides a rounded picture of the soil’s overall health
and its potential for producing high yielding, quality crops.
Wellington Road, The Industrial Estate All analytical services are subject to our
Pocklington, York. YO42 1DN Terms of Supply, available upon request.
Tel: 01759 305116 Fax: 01759 306955
Email: ypl.laboratory@yara.com
www.yara.com/analysis
Lancrop Laboratories is a trading name of Yara UK Limited

Yara UK Limited, Registered Office, Harvest House, Europarc, Grimsby, N E Lincolnshire, DN37 9TZ. Registered in England No. 03818176
Technical Note:
This information provides a general summary of the range of soil tests provided and the
information they provide. It is intended as a guide. It is important to take into account specific crop
requirements and local conditions when making soil and crop management decisions
Physical characteristics
Test Optimum level Comments
Soil texture is a measure of the relative

proportions of the basic particle size
constituents of the soil: sand, silt and clay.
It has a significant effect on the soil air, water
holding capacity and drainage properties of the
soil.
Reference soil triangle
Texture
(See Technical Note: Soil Texture)
Little can be done to alter texture; farmers must
understand soil texture across the farm and work
with the texture to ensure the soil is as productive
and stable as possible. Crop
nutrition also needs to be managed based on the
soil texture to provide the best productivity.
Organic Matter plays a major role in

determining soil physical characteristics; soils with
medium to high OM levels would
generally be expected to have good structure,
moisture retention and water infiltration.
Organic > 3% generally indicates a fertile soil
Matter (See Technical Note: Organic Matter) Intensive tillage increases the loss of organic mat-
ter by speeding up the decomposition
process. This can be reversed overtime by
reducing tillage, using cover crops and
increasing external organic inputs such as
manures, greenwaste composts.
Tel: 01759 305116 Fax: 01759 306955

Technical Note:
requirements and local conditions when making soil and crop management decisions.
Chemical characteristics
Soil pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil, it has a direct

effect on nutrient availability, microbe activity and overall plant health. A
knowledge of the soil pH is fundamental to soil and crop management.
6.5 – 7.5 arable
pH Liming is the standard way to neutralise the acidity in the soil. Lime re-
6.0 – 7.0 grassland
quirement depends on soil texture, crop type and the existing soil pH.
There is little that can be practically done to reduce pH in
alkaline soils; fertiliser applications must be adjusted to ensure
adequate supply of nutrients to the growing plants.
CEC is a basic measurement of the soils ability to bind or hold

> 3% generally nutrients.
indicates a fertile soil
CEC
(See Technical Note: The CEC of a soil is not easily adjusted, so farmers have to work with
Organic Matter) the varying CEC’s they farm and tailor nutritional
management to suit.
Tel: 01759 305116 Fax: 01759 306955

Technical Note:
Nutrient status
Phosphorus promotes rapid leaf growth, leaf size and plant

tillering. It is important for root development and brings
forward maturity and stimulates flower, seed and fruit
production.
16 – 46 ppm Soil analysis measures the available phosphorus in the soil and
Phosphorus
Index 2 to 3 in the UK this is reported using the ADAS Index system. Soil pH
(P)
varies with crop has a major effect on phosphorus availability, once soil pH
drops below 6.0 or rises above 7.5 the availability of
phosphorus is greatly reduced. Cold soil temperatures will also
reduce the uptake of phosphorus so that even when
soil phosphorus is adequate in the soil a deficiency can still be
induced.
Potassium regulates water balance within the cells and

water loss through transpiration. It stimulates growth of strong
stems and can provide the frost and drought
tolerance of plants as well as improving colour, flavour
121 – 240 ppm and storage quality of fruits and vegetables.
Potassium
Index 2- to 2+
(K)
varies with crop Most of the soil potassium is in unavailable forms and only
becomes available when the soil bedrock weathers.
Potassium can leach once available, particularly in higher rain-
fall areas with light textured soils, it should be applied regularly
throughout the growing season in lighter soils.
Tel: 01759 305116 Fax: 01759 306955

Technical Note:
Nutrient status
Calcium is needed at the growing point of new tissues. It is

one of the important constituents of the cell wall and
provides strength and stability.
Calcium is prevalent in many soils as it occurs in many
Calcium 1600 – 5000 ppm Minerals. Calcium in the soil solution readily leaches and
(Ca) varies with crop tends to be deficient in higher rainfall areas, or where
irrigation is poorly managed. Even calcium rich soils may
not have sufficient plant available calcium for rapidly
growing crops. Calcium should be applied little and often to
ensure accumulation within new tissues and fruits.
Magnesium is a vital constituent of chlorophyll.

Magnesium is readily leached when present in soluble
forms, although generally only 6% of the total soil
magnesium is in the soil solution at any one time.
Magnesium 50 – 400 ppm
Higher rainfall areas, irrigated crops and soils with a low
(Mg) varies with crop
CEC are the areas most at risk of poor magnesium
supply. The availability of magnesium can be suppressed
by high levels of potassium and calcium in the soil or
excessive potassium applications.
Sulphur is essential for the formation of plant proteins,

amino acids, and enzymes. It is involved in the reduction of
nitrate to amino acids.
Sulphur 10 – 80 ppm In the past large amounts of sulphur were released into the
(S) varies with crop atmosphere and deposited on the land from
industrial processes, this has declined greatly in recent
years. On medium to heavy soils, the timing of sulphur
application is not critical, but on light soils sulphur should be
applied, little and often to avoid leaching.
Tel: 01759 305116 Fax: 01759 306955

Technical Note:
Nutrient status
Boron is essential to maintain structural integrity of plant

membranes and is important for pollen viability, flower and fruit devel-
opment.
Soils typically hold 2 – 200 ppm of boron, but less than 5% is

Boron 0.5 – 6.0 ppm
available, this available boron is held in organic matter. Under high pH
(B) varies with crop
(> 7.5) boron becomes unavailable and excessive use of lime can
make this problem worse. Boron readily leaches from light soils or soils
with a low CEC. Boron uptake by the plant mainly depends on mass
flow and is therefore reduced at low temperatures and in dry condi-
tions.
Copper is important for pollen formation and influences fruit set and
grain formation. It also is used in the lignification of cell walls.
Copper 2.1 – 14 ppm
Most copper in the soil is bound up in complexes and
(Cu) varies with crop
unavailable. Peat soils, with a high organic content, have low
copper availability and need frequent applications. Copper is
unavailable in acid soils (<pH 4) and in alkaline soils (>pH 8).
Iron is essential for chlorophyll formation and function.
Iron is present in most soils in adequate quantities as oxides.

Iron 50 – 500 ppm
However, availability declines as pH increases from 4 upwards;
(Fe) varies with crop
this is the overriding factor in iron nutrition and iron deficiency is a
worldwide problem on calcareous soils. Soils with high OM content
have enhanced iron solubility and therefore availability.
Tel: 01759 305116 Fax: 01759 306955

Technical Note:
Nutrient status
Manganese is involved in chlorophyll synthesis and

photosynthesis and lignin synthesis.
Manganese is plentiful in most soils, but deficiencies are

Manganese 45 – 220 ppm commonplace when soil conditions combine to create a shortage. As
(Mn) varies with crop soil pH increases, insoluble manganese oxides are formed, soil pH
readings higher than 6 cause supply problems, especially on lighter
soils. Over-liming and the occurrence of loose, highly
aerated soils commonly reduce manganese availability and under
cold, wet soil conditions manganese also becomes unavailable.
Molybdenum is needed for plants to utilize nitrogen.

Molybdenum 0.1 – 0.6 ppm
Molybdenum is the only micronutrient that has increased
(Mo) varies with crop
availability as the pH increases, i.e. is more available in alkaline soils,
but will be less available in acid soils.
Zinc is a catalyst in the enzyme systems used for protein and

carbohydrate metabolism. It is also responsible for the
metabolism of auxins and is important for regulating key
growth processes.
Zinc 2 – 7 ppm
(Zn) varies with crop Zinc is present in a wide range of soils, but there are many areas of
the world where zinc is not present in the parent material or has been
leached and is therefore deficient. In acid, sandy soils with high rain-
fall, zinc can be leached. Zinc is also less available in soils with low
organic matter.
Tel: 01759 305116 Fax: 01759 306955


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Technical Note:

Soil Analysis Interpretation

Soil analysis interpretation

In Justus von Liebig’s Law of Minimum he stated that plant

Limiting factors could be the climate/weather, the soil, water,

Soil analysis gives the background knowledge on the chemical,

Most of the work, and cost, of analysis is in the sampling and

Chemical and physical analysis

Lancrop Laboratories is a trading name of Yara UK Limited

Test Optimum level Comments

Soil texture is a measure of the relative

Organic Matter plays a major role in

Lancrop Laboratories is a trading name of Yara UK Limited

Test Optimum level Comments

Soil pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil, it has a direct

CEC is a basic measurement of the soils ability to bind or hold

Lancrop Laboratories is a trading name of Yara UK Limited

Test Optimum level Comments

Phosphorus promotes rapid leaf growth, leaf size and plant

Potassium regulates water balance within the cells and

Lancrop Laboratories is a trading name of Yara UK Limited

Test Optimum level Comments

Calcium is needed at the growing point of new tissues. It is

Magnesium is a vital constituent of chlorophyll.

Sulphur is essential for the formation of plant proteins,

Lancrop Laboratories is a trading name of Yara UK Limited

Test Optimum level Comments

Boron is essential to maintain structural integrity of plant

Soils typically hold 2 – 200 ppm of boron, but less than 5% is

Iron is essential for chlorophyll formation and function.

Iron is present in most soils in adequate quantities as oxides.

Lancrop Laboratories is a trading name of Yara UK Limited

Test Optimum level Comments

Manganese is involved in chlorophyll synthesis and

Manganese is plentiful in most soils, but deficiencies are

Molybdenum is needed for plants to utilize nitrogen.

Zinc is a catalyst in the enzyme systems used for protein and

Lancrop Laboratories is a trading name of Yara UK Limited

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