Soil Testing
Benefits of Soil Testing
- Customized fertilizer and lime recommendations take the guesswork out of application rates
- Knowing the optimum rate of fertilizer/lime is more economically efficient.
- Accurate recommendations prevent the over-application of fertilizer, which is detrimental to the environment.
Services Offered
Soil Test
Our analysis includes pH, lime recommendation, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and sodium (Na). Fertilizer recommendations are customized to selected crop codes. Elemental extraction follows the Mississippi Soil Test method. Total soluble salts (TSS) are reported for all horticultural samples.
We offer organic matter percentage for an additional cost. We offer two different methods:
- Loss on ignition (LOI): offered to farmers and homeowners
- Total C/N analyzer via Elementar Vario Max Cube: offered to researchers
Plant Tissue Analysis
Plant tissue analysis is appropriate for situations where an elemental deficiency is suspected. It provides a more accurate estimation of essential nutrient concentrations than soil analysis. Analysis includes total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), sulfur (S), and boron (B).
It does not provide analysis typically requested for forages.
Texture Analysis
Sodium hexametaphosphate is used to separate sand, silt, and clay fractions of soil samples, which are then evaluated with the hydrometer method.
Don’t see a service you need?
For plant diseases/nematodes, please see the Plant Disease and Nematode Diagnostic Services page.
For fertilizer, pesticide, or forage analysis (where protein content, etc., is desired), please contact the Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory.
Contact
Southern Soil & Plant Lab, LLC.
117 Haley Barbour Parkway
Yazoo City, MS 39194
(662) 746-8105
lab@southernsoilslab.com
Southern Soil & Plant Lab Website
Business Hours: Monday–Friday, 7am–5pm CT
Mailing & Shipping Address
Southern Soil & Plant Lab, LLC.
117 Haley Barbour Parkway
Yazoo City, MS 39194
Related Publications
- Can samples be taken when soils are wet?
- How many one thousand square feet in an acre?
- How often should I test my soil?
- How should a soil sample(s) be taken?
- How to Collect a Soil Sample
- Interpreting Your Soil Test
- Soil Testing
- Submitting a Soil Test
- What is the time required for soil or plant analysis?
- When is the best time to take soil samples?
- Why is it important to mix lime with the soil?