ABSTRACT

Plants need the right nutrients at the right time in the right quantity for their growth and development. These nutrients are absorbed from the soil in which they grow. Therefore, it is quite essential to know the soil's composition and conditions, so that one can apply an exact amount of fertilizers. Soil testing is the key to developing a sustainable crop production program. Soil test provides important information on nutrient content and pH levels. The humus content of soil has a direct bearing on its fertility, structure, porosity, moisture, and drainage and can be increased by adding organic matter. Most plants grow best in soil with acidic to neutral pH (pH6–7). A chemical analysis may be necessary for getting accurate information about texture, fertility, and pH among other properties. Soil analysis (testing) is a valuable tool in nutrient management. There are a number of laboratory extraction techniques developed to estimate soil nutrient content and availability. Soil analysis is a valuable tool as well for nutrient management to avoid problems of nutrient balance. Good labs, having strong experience can use their regional database to give a description of the level of each nutrient, and can even offer fertilizer recommendations.