Soil Testing

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Soil Testing

Soil analysis is a means to discover what levels of nutrients are available to plants. There is an optimum for each plant nutrient and when coupled with other properties such as soil structure and particle sizes determine how vigorous your plants are. Different nutrients undertake different tasks within the plant, this is illustrated within the table below:

Macronutrients	Role within plant
Primary Nutrients:
Nitrogen – N	Nitrogen fertiliser is mainly used for the growth of leaves and stems
Phosphorous (phosphate) – P	Phosphate fertiliser is primarily used for flowering and root development
Potassium (potash) – K	Potassium fertiliser is used for fruiting, root growth and disease resistance
Secondary Nutrients:
Calcium – Ca	Is used within the plant cell wall
Magnesium – Mg	Important within the process of photosynthesis and enzyme production
Sulphur – S	Important in food, enzyme and chlorophyll production

Micronutrients
Iron – Fe	Used in the formation of chlorophyll
Manganese – Mn	Involved in the breakdown of carbohydrates
Copper – Cu	Important for reproductive growth
Boron – B	Used in the production of sugars and carbohydrates
Molybdenum – Mo	Utilised by the plant when using nitrogen
Zinc – Zn	Used within the transport system of the plant
Chloride – Cl	Used when the plant metabolises other nutrients

Organic Matter and Soil Particle Size

The visual appearance of an area can provide an indication of what’s going on underneath but more accurately what happens within the soil determines the health and vigour of the plants growing in it.

Soil chemistry is a well-established science, together with the physical properties collectively they provide the basis for fertiliser programme recommendations; these recommendations are based on the "sufficient levels" approach. This philosophy acknowledges that, as the soil test level of the nutrient increases, the chance of getting a response to adding that nutrient decreases and the magnitude of the response, if it occurs, is diminished.

In reality the lack of one element or the abundance of another changes the dynamics of the soil profile, e.g. an overabundance of iron can impact upon the availability to the plant of phosphate, potentially creating a deficiency in soils which may be naturally depleted. Correct interpretation of the soil analysis results can be used to help provide you with a nutrient programme tailored to your specific requirements.

The PWS^TM system ensures that the samples are analysed independently reinforcing the veracity of the system. The interpretive reports communicate the results in a comprehensive format that is easy to understand. The soil testing kit provides good quality information that will enable you to make decisions based upon evidence. Turfy.ie use an independent Fully Accredited laboratory tested to UKAS ISO17025 and AfOR certificated standards that provides a variety of different analyses, the most common of which are listed above although if you have specific requirements contact our team and there are literally dozens of tests that can be used to diagnose specific problems.

In addition to nutrient levels other aspects of soil health can be measured: a Organic Matter is an important concern for turf managers. Ensuring the correct levels of organic matter are present through different levels of the soil profile will lead to better plant health and response to stressful events. Soil particle size and distribution are contributing factors to how well a soil drains and its capacity to retain nutrients. These elements can be improved but information is required in order to ascertain what materials or operations will improve the soil structure.

Building up data enables you to make more informed decisions. This data can be used within a monitoring system that can be used to detect and diagnose problems and formulate baseline parameters that can help reduce pests, diseases and improve quality and ultimately reduce costs.

There is a growing number of individuals that are seeking access to good quality soil testing information services that remove bias and enables managers to make decisions based upon evidence. This liberates managers from the constraint of the supplier that provides the soil analysis on behalf of the facility; providing access to a greater and potentially more effective range of solutions. This is the first step on the ladder to success as taking responsibility puts you in control. The Turfy.ie website and message-board is a great resource providing access to individuals who offer impartial advise and recommendations.