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idaho_guy

Need Help with Soil Test Interpretation

15 years ago

Finally got around to sending in a soil sample for testing. Was kind of hoping I could easily see issues with my soil but it all looks good. PH looks perfect. Potassium is only item out of range. Does this matter?

Can anyone help with the interpretation of these results and provide some feedback?

I Live in Idaho.

THANKS!

RESULTS:

Total Exchange Capacity (M.E.) 13.08

PH of Soil Sample 6.3

Organic Matter, Percent 9.2

Sulfur ppm 28

Phosphorus lbs/acre 1134

Calcium lbs/acre

Desired value 3557

Value found 3566

Magnesium lbs/acre

Desired value 376

Value found 409

Potassium lbs/acre

Desired value 408

Value found 258

deficit -150

Sodium lbs/acre 41

BASE SATURATION:

Calcium(60%-70%) 68.16

Magnesium(10-20%) 13.03

Potassium(2-5%) 2.53

Sodium(.5-3%) .68

Other Bases(variable) 5.1

Exchange Hydrogen(10-15%) 10.3

TRACE ELEMENTS: PPM

Boron .7

Iron 216

Manganese 38

Copper 6.31

Zinc 8.2

Aluminum 1058

Comments (4)

  • 15 years ago

    Hey, just curious where exactly in SW Idaho? I have great friends that area.

  • 15 years ago

    I am not a soil guru, but I will give you a general overview. (I am assuming this is a Logan Labs test) Your results look very good. Your pH is on the lower end of the perfect range for cool season grasses, but still very good, especially since most western soils are basic. If you do want to lime to bring it up a bit, use calcitic lime, and use the lower rate (5 lbs. per 1000 I think). Low potassium is an easy fix, and yours is borderline low. The best thing to use to raise K is potassium sulfate. It can be hard to find however, and potassium chloride is cheaper and usually what you find in fertilizers. If you don't find it, then use high K fertilizers, like 28-0-11. Your P is high, which isn't a problem, all your fertilizers can have a zero for the middle number for a long time. Your micros look OK, except your boron is low. There is another site I frequent that can give you a detailed analysis if you want. Let me know.

  • 15 years ago

    Thanks Tiemco. Appreciate the info. High K fertilizer
    is what I'll look for.
    Yes, It was from Logan Labs.
    Yes, if you can shoot me the website you use or post it here, that would be great. I'd like to learn more.

    Only other question is what is the "Total Exchange Capacity"? And is 13 Good,Bad,or indifferent?
    It's a clayish type soil here that I've tried to add organic material to over the last couple years.

  • 15 years ago

    Total Exchange Capacity is a measure of how many sites your soil has to accept cations (positively charged ions) including hydrogen (CEC is all the cations except hydrogen) Exchange capacity varies with soil type, it's lower in sandy soils, higher in soils with silt, clay and/or large amounts of organic matter. The number you have tells you more about your soils makeup than anything else, and it will help you develop a fertilizing strategy. Your number is indicative of a good loam soil. It's a bit low to be a high clay soil, but most loams have some clay component.