Soil Testing to Guide Fertilizer Management

Regularly testing your soil will allow you to accurately spot problem areas and thus provide sustainable soil nutrient management. This updated version of a 1997 bulletin provides the basic information you need: proper soil sampling procedures, including those involving special soil sites (surface/furrow-irrigated fields, land-leveled/eroded areas or those that have had a fertilizer band applied); the benefits of using sensor-based soil testing and automated soil sampling equipment; and tips for choosing a certified lab to process the results. Soon you'll be well on your way to improving crop yields or more effectively managing fertilizer usage, among many other potential improvements.