Soil testing should be the first step for a good nutrient management program, but it all starts with the proper sample collection procedure. Do you know how to take a representative soil sample?
Soil testing provides producers and homeowners important information concerning the fertility status of the soil. Here is how you collect and submit samples to the K-State Soil Testing Lab.
Fall is an excellent time to soil sample pastures and hay fields. Learn more on how frequently you should sample and which soil properties are most important in these types of production systems.
Immediately following harvest is the best time to sample fields for soybean cyst nematode and start planning for next season. Proper sample collection is important as well as following guidelines for storing and shipping samples to the testing lab.
Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is a major problem in soybean fields throughout eastern and central Kansas. It is important to monitor SCN levels regularly to determine if management strategies, such as variety resistance and crop rotation, have been successful.
soil sampling soybean cyst nematode Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab
Wheat producers in Kansas should consider soil testing to help in making accurate fertilizer decisions. Accurate decisions are especially important during years with low grain prices and tight budgets.
Soil testing provides producers and homeowners important information concerning the fertility status of the soil. This information can help produce better crops and reduce costs by guiding management decisions. Proper sample collection and submission to a testing lab is very important to ensure the most accurate results.
At first glance, soil sampling might seem to be an easy task. However, when you consider the variability that likely exists within a field because of inherent soil formation factors and past production practices, the collection of a representative soil sample becomes more of a challenge. Learn how to collect the best soil samples that will represent your fields.
The accuracy of a soil test is limited, in part, by the quality of the tested sample. However, soil samples must also be handled properly after they have been collected. Results from a recent study at K-State illustrates what can happen when soil sample submission to a testing lab is delayed and samples are not properly stored.
Soil testing provides producers and homeowners with important information concerning the fertility status of the soil. This information can help produce better crops and reduce input costs by guiding management decisions. The K-State Soil Testing Lab offers many affordable options for assessing the soil fertility status of your soil.
Collecting a representative soil sample from your area of interest is critical to ensure the best soil testing results. Most fields are highly variable even over short distances. This makes collecting a representative soil sample more of a challenge. This article has information on the best soil sampling practices.
Now is a good time for soil sampling in preparation for wheat planting. This will help make the best fertility plan. This is particularly important after drought and lower-than-expected yields for previous crops. Fertilizer needs may require adjustments based on soil tests.
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