A soil test is a process by which nutrients are chemically removed from the soil and measured for their plant available content within the sample. The quantity of available nutrients in the sample determines the amount of fertilizers needed for a particular crop. A soil test also measures pH and the amount of acidity within the soil to determine if lime is needed and how much should be applied.

A soil test should be conducted if fertilizer is going to be applied or when problems occur during the growing season. At least once per year is ideal to keep in control of your soil fertility. In high value horticulture or floriculture more regular testing is needed to maintain fertilization at optimum levels.
What amount of soil do you require to carry out a soil test?
Half a kg of soil, or 3-4 cups is adequate for us to carry out a basic or complete soil test. If you need a more detailed analysis more soil will be needed and please contact the lab.

Half a kg of soil, or 3-4 cups is adequate for us to carry out a basic or complete soil test. If you need a more detailed analysis more soil will be needed and please contact the lab.

Soil moisture does not affect the test results since samples are dried before they are analyzed. However, extremely wet soils are difficult to collect and mix. Therefore, allow soils to drain before sampling. Soils too dry are normally hard to get the right depth.
Soil can be delivered to our lab either wet or dry. We have the facilities to dry samples quickly for subsequent analysis. Certain analysis, such as the 1:2 soil water extract for greenhouse fertigation management we don’t dry the soil, and extract nutrient from a field moist soil.

The complete soil analysis covers all major and micro-nutrients which are essential for high yielding crops, and also includes organic matter %. The basic soil analysis does not include sulPHur or any micronutrients, so the recommendations you receive will not be as comprehensive and detailed as the complete soil analysis.

Normally it takes between 5-10 working days depend-ing on how busy the lab is.

Please refer to our soil sampling procedures under the downloads section of our website.

Yes, we can come and carry out sampling your farm. We can also connect you to one of our local field agents to organize for sampling at your farm.

Cheap is not always good, especially when it comes to looking after your farms valuable resources, soil and water.
We provide much more than a soil test. We provide a quality, internationally accredited soil testing service with recommendations that will increase your yields. Our soil analysis covers many soil fertility parameters and includes a detailed crop specific fertilizer recommendation on every report. We have 15 years experience in soil testing and believe that our soil test and recommendations report is one of the most comprehensive to be found globally.
We understand that your soil is your most important farm resource and that by investing in our service, you are investing in your soil health, to grow higher yielding crops with lower inputs, and to safe guard the future profitability of your farm.

Yes, they are included with each report as part of the package. We split our recommendations into three parts soil fertility correction, crop feeding (fertilizers) and additional recommendations (including advice on foliar feeds, organic matter management etc). Fertilizers are applied every crop, but soil correction inputs such as lime can be applied every few years, or as needed, based on soil test results.
 

You can pay by bank. We require full payment before the results are released.

At least once per year to keep in control of your soil fertility. In high value horticulture of floriculture more regular testing is needed to maintain fertilization at optimum levels.

This depends on soil variations, topography (slope) and previous land use. Generally sample size should be restricted to 30- 50 acres per sample in broad acre crops, but in intensive cropping (vegetables) , a sample per field should be taken, to account for previous management (i.e. Manure may have been applied in one area which increases fertility). Check our sampling procedure (under downloads) for more information on soil sampling.

We provide recommendations for one crop per soil sample submitted. 

Lime corrects soil acidity (low soil pH) and also provides plant nutrients, calcium and magnesium. Calcitic lime contains calcium only and dolomitic lime contains calcium and magnesium. In our soil fertility balancing program, we always recommend to keep a ca:mg ratio of between 4-6, which results in optimum soil aeration and better structure, meaning better root growth, improved water infiltration, high biological activity and resultant higher yields. Therefore, in the soil test, if your soils ca:mg ratio is out of balance we will recommend the correct ratio of calcitic and dolomitic lime to bring your soil back to optimum balance.