People who use lands to grow crops understand that one of the important aspects is soil fertility. A soil test is a very good way of determining the fertility of land. The aim of the test is measuring the levels of micro and macro-nutrients available in the soil. Micro and macro-nutrients are very essential for the healthy growth of all plants. This is what Southern California Soil Testing is all about.
Mostly, the commonly performed test is for the purposes of determining the level of pH or acidity. Another measured aspect is the cation exchange capacity, CEC. A high CEC level means that the soils are good as it shows higher cation exchange between the ground and plants. Furthermore, the test confirms the ability of the soil to provide as well as retain essential nutrients required by plants.
The level of CEC of a piece of land usually depends heavily on the percentage organic matter in the ground. The abbreviation OM is often used to refer to the percent organic matter. The OM also impacts the percentage base saturation. The base saturation measures the three most abundant cations, that is potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
After the tests have been done, one can use the findings in determining what alterations or changes they have to make to the land to increase its fertility. The mostly done amendment by most people is addition of fertilizer to the ground to increase the quantity of potassium, magnesium and calcium elements in the soil. Fertility of land is greatly determined by availability and balance of these elements.
As stated above, it is only after one knows the level of fertility of their land that they can add the right amount of fertilizer and lime. In some cases, not all nutrients are deficient in the soil, but rather, just one or a few nutrients. Therefore, one can know which nutrient needs to be improved and by how much. Many homeowners usually apply lime on their lawns every year because they believe that it is the right thing to do.
However, when homeowners test the soils in their lawns, the results are usually contradictory. To the realization of the homeowner, the lime actually destroys soils rather than improving their fertility. The balance of nutrients in the ground needs to be carefully maintained as it is delicate. The plants may be stressed if one applies more than the required amendments.
The solubility of a wide range of nutrients in the soils is usually affected by its pH. Plants easily absorb the available nutrients when they are soluble. This means that the pH must be retained at the correct level in order to allow maximum absorption. Failure to observe this would mean that plants cannot the nutrients due to unsuitable pH level despite the land being suitably fertile.
The suitable pH range of most plants is 6.5 and 7.0. This pH range implies that the soils are either slightly acidic or neutral. But, it is crucial to understand that some varieties of plants need soils that are acidic in order to do well. As such, a person must set the pH level of the soils depending on the variety of plant they intend to grow.
Mostly, the commonly performed test is for the purposes of determining the level of pH or acidity. Another measured aspect is the cation exchange capacity, CEC. A high CEC level means that the soils are good as it shows higher cation exchange between the ground and plants. Furthermore, the test confirms the ability of the soil to provide as well as retain essential nutrients required by plants.
The level of CEC of a piece of land usually depends heavily on the percentage organic matter in the ground. The abbreviation OM is often used to refer to the percent organic matter. The OM also impacts the percentage base saturation. The base saturation measures the three most abundant cations, that is potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
After the tests have been done, one can use the findings in determining what alterations or changes they have to make to the land to increase its fertility. The mostly done amendment by most people is addition of fertilizer to the ground to increase the quantity of potassium, magnesium and calcium elements in the soil. Fertility of land is greatly determined by availability and balance of these elements.
As stated above, it is only after one knows the level of fertility of their land that they can add the right amount of fertilizer and lime. In some cases, not all nutrients are deficient in the soil, but rather, just one or a few nutrients. Therefore, one can know which nutrient needs to be improved and by how much. Many homeowners usually apply lime on their lawns every year because they believe that it is the right thing to do.
However, when homeowners test the soils in their lawns, the results are usually contradictory. To the realization of the homeowner, the lime actually destroys soils rather than improving their fertility. The balance of nutrients in the ground needs to be carefully maintained as it is delicate. The plants may be stressed if one applies more than the required amendments.
The solubility of a wide range of nutrients in the soils is usually affected by its pH. Plants easily absorb the available nutrients when they are soluble. This means that the pH must be retained at the correct level in order to allow maximum absorption. Failure to observe this would mean that plants cannot the nutrients due to unsuitable pH level despite the land being suitably fertile.
The suitable pH range of most plants is 6.5 and 7.0. This pH range implies that the soils are either slightly acidic or neutral. But, it is crucial to understand that some varieties of plants need soils that are acidic in order to do well. As such, a person must set the pH level of the soils depending on the variety of plant they intend to grow.
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You can find a summary of the advantages you get when you use professional Southern California soil testing services at http://www.advancedgeotechnical.com/about right now.
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