Soil analysis - to identify limiting factors

Soil analysis –a decision making tool to identify limiting factors in your soil

Soil analysis provides you the background knowledge on soil available nutrient status along with some physico-chemical and biological properties;that we need in order to take specific decisions on balanced and integrated nutrient management for healthy soils and crops.

Why use soil analysis?

It provides accurate and timely diagnosis of soil fertility related problems and enables to take decision on proper nutrient management strategy.

It removes the guess-work and ad-hoc application of fertilisers; and provides scientific basis for choosing right product at right time with right rate of application.

It helps to restore soil health in long term – since it advocates application of balanced nutrients and thus arrests soil mining.

Overall, it is a very efficient decision making tool regarding nutrient management for all types of crops grown in various agro-climatic conditions. 

What to analyse? 

It takes considerable money and effort to collect and send a proper soil sample to the laboratory; besides the cost of analysis. Once the sample has arrived at the laboratory, there are a wide range of tests that can be conducted. Hence so it makes sense to get as much information as possible from the sample analysis.

Analysis of soil available Nutrients  

Not all the nutrients within your soil are available to the crop you are going to sow, and only a part of it is useful for plants. Hence, it is important to know whether available nutrient status is sufficient for your purpose. Soil analysis provides an inventory of the available nutrients and provides the background to build an efficient and cost-effective nutrient management plan.

Yara Analytical Services, India provides two types of soil-testing analysis - Standard & Broad Spectrum. Standard’ soil analysis package includes nutrient analysis of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Sulphur (S), Zinc (Zn) and Boron (B). The choice of nutrients is based on the most frequently encountered multi-nutrient deficiency in Indian soils.

However, in order to get the most from a soil sample analysis, it is advised to avail our ‘Broad Spectrum’ soil analysis which includes Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), and Manganese (Mn); along with those mentioned in standard analysis package. We also provide soil available Molybdenum (Mo) analysis on special request. The broad spectrum analysis provides you a snap-shot of whole array of nutrients; and thus helps you to adopt a more comprehensive nutrient management plan.

Analysis of physico-chemical properties

Our Analytical Services provide analysis of a couple of very important physico-chemical parameters of soil in both ‘Standard’ and ‘Broad Spectrum’ soil analysis. These physico-chemical properties of the soil need to be considered before making any soil management decisions or planning a nutrient application strategy.

Soil pH denotes extent of acidity or alkalinity of the sample, which has a strong relationship with nutrient availability. The pH value also indicates whether you need to amend the soil before sowing; in order to get a better response to applied fertilisers.

Another important parameter is Electrical Conductivity (EC). It denotes the extent of salinity in your soil and indicates possible harm it can create on crop growth. It also suggests whether you need to improve soil drainage status, and leach the soil off soluble salts beyond crop root zone; before planting the next crop. 

Analysis of soil biological parameter

An active population of soil micro-organisms is essential to a healthy soil; since they contribute to the recycling of nutrients from plants and animal remains, and mineralize the nutrients, making them available for plant uptake. Since most of these microorganisms can’t prepare their own food, they depend on soil organic carbon pool for their existence and proliferation. Soil organic carbon particles also have a major role in providing stable soil structure which helps in availability of both air and water to plant root cells – causing better crop growth.

Our soil analysis provides an estimate of soil Organic Carbon (OC) content in both ‘Standard’ and ‘Broad Spectrum’ analysis. The OC values also provide an estimate of N availability; since most of N is derived from organic fraction of soil. Organic Carbon analysis provides a comprehensive picture of the soil’s overall health, and its potential for producing high yielding quality crops.

What analysis packages are available?

‘Standard’ package of soil analysis (S)

This is our base package of soil analysis containing the most important parameters often found limiting under Indian condition. It provides a basic understanding of soil fertility status and may be sufficient for all field crops. Farmer desiring to attain maximum yield potential may instead choose the ‘Broad Spectrum’ package to know the status of other essential nutrients.

The ‘Standard’ package of soil analysis includes analysis and interpretation of the following parameters:

pH, EC, OC, N, P, K, S, Zn and B

The report describes soil availability status and expresses with colour codes based on the established guideline. Green boxes depict status in most appropriatelevel; and various shades of amber and red signifies extent of departure from ideal. The ‘traffic light’ like colour code helps you to appreciate your soil fertility status in quick and easy way. The report also interprets result to provide broad guideline of nutrient management with highly efficient fertiliser sources offered by Yara Fertilisers India Pvt. Ltd. Analysis also indicate in case you need to amend your soil to rectify from salinity, acidity or alkalinity.

‘Broad Spectrum’soil analysis (BS)

This is our most popular soil analysis package as this gives the nutrient levels for all twelve critical plant nutrients along with OC, and ensures no diagnosis of deficiency is missed. It also includes pH and EC analysis besides nutrients; which indicates necessity of lime and gypsum requirement based on pH values. The package is highly recommended for all growers of cash crops like potato, onion, cotton, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables, plantation crops, flowers, seed producers and those practicing protected cultivation.

The ‘Broad Spectrum’ package of soil analysis includes analysis and interpretation of the following parameters:

pH, EC, OC, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn, B, Fe, Cu, Mn and Mo (on demand)

The report also interprets the results in similar colour codes as described above; and gives a comprehensive nutrient recommendationcomprising Yara products for realisation of full yield potential and quality.

‘Leaf – Broad Spectrum’ analysis (BSL)

Besides ‘Soil Analysis’, the Analytical Services of Yara Fertilisers India Private Limited also provides ‘Leaf Tissue’ analysis which comprises of analysis and interpretation of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, B and Mo. This analysis is use to diagnose the nutrient status of any crop at different crop growth stages however, it is particularly useful for perennial fruits and plantation crops.

Kindly note that there is a definite process for collection of a composite sample of soil and/or leaf, before it can be sent to the laboratory for analysis. A wrong way of sampling may distort result and mislead you. It is strongly advocated to be in touch with local representative of Yara Fertilisers India Pvt. Ltd. to obtain details of sampling procedure, analysis charges, sending sample to the lab; and technical support to be provided by our field team for explaining analytical report and ensuring adoption of suggested recommendations.

Please contact us at 7387374727 or email to yasindia.laboratory@yara.com for any further query.