Soil Testing

Soil and Container Media Electrical Conductivity Interpretations

E. A. Hanlon, B. L. McNeal, and G. Kidder

This document is about interpreting electrical conductivity (EC) measurements in soils and container media to manage soluble salts from fertilizers, irrigation water, and storm events. It explains how excessive salts affect plant growth, provides guidelines for testing and interpreting EC values, and offers practical recommendations for leaching salts and preventing salt accumulation in landscapes, crops, and containerized plants. First printed April 1993.

Best Management Practices in the Everglades Agricultural Area: Soil Testing

S. H. Daroub, T. A. Lang, O. A. Diaz, and M. Chen

Soil Sampling Procedures

Davie M. Kadyampakeni, Kelly T. Morgan, Arnold Schumann, and Rhuanito Ferrarezi

Soil pH and Electrical Conductivity: A County Extension Soil Laboratory Manual

Rao Mylavarapu, Jamin Bergeron, and Nancy Wilkinson

Developing a Soil Test Extractant: The Correlation and Calibration Processes

George Hochmuth, Rao Mylavarapu, and Ed Hanlon

Citrus Soil pH Testing Procedures

Kelly Morgan

Alternaria Leaf and Pod Spot of Snap Bean in Florida

Shouan Zhang, Aaron J. Palmateer, Ken Pernezny, and R. T. McMillan, Jr.

Soil-Test-Based Phosphorus Recommendations for Commercial Agricultural Production in Florida

Rao Mylavarapu, Yuncong Li, Maria Silveira, Cheryl Mackowiak, and Mabry McCray

Nutrition of Florida Citrus Trees, 3 Edition: Chapter 4. Soil and Leaf Tissue Testing

Thomas A. Obreza, Mongi Zekri, and Edward A. Hanlon

Soil Testing for Plant-Available Nutrients—What Is It and Why Do We Use It?

George Hochmuth, Rao Mylavarapu, and Ed Hanlon

Fertilizer Recommendation Philosophies

George Hochmuth, Rao Mylavarapu, and Ed Hanlon

Determination of Carbonate Concentrations in Calcareous Soils with Common Vinegar Test

Qiang Zhu, Yuncong Li, Guodong Liu, and Monica Ozores-Hampton

This article describes a convenient method to estimate soil carbonate concentration using vinegar and other simple instruments for growers, Extension agents, and students interested in crop production and enhancing crop yield.

History and Methods of the Everglades Soil Testing Laboratory

J. Mabry McCray and Ronald W. Rice

This publication provides a history of the University of Florida Everglades Soil Testing Laboratory (EvSTL), current analytical methods, and information about fertilizer recommendations made by the laboratory. Written by J. Mabry McCray and Ronald W. Rice, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, October 2023.

UF/IFAS Analytical Services Laboratories (ANSERV Labs): Analytical Procedures and Training Manual

Rao S. Mylavarapu, Nancy Wilkinson, and Yvens Jean

The UF/IFAS Analytical Services Laboratories (ANSERV labs) have been in operation, under slightly different names, for nearly 70 years. Since 2008, the ANSERV Labs have been reorganized to accomplish specific research and cooperative extension service missions through two sections in each area- Analytical Research (ARL) and NELAC Certified Environmental Water Quality Labs (EWQL) for all researchers and students and Extension Soil Testing (ESTL) and Livestock Waste Testing Labs (LWTL) for all citizens and agencies of Florida.  The procedures described in this manual reflect the current methodologies for agricultural testing offered by the UF/IFAS Extension Soil Testing Laboratory (ESTL), the Livestock Waste Testing Laboratory (LWTL), the Analytical Research Laboratory (ARL), and the Environmental Water Quality Laboratory (EWQL). This Circular replaces previous information that is contained in other UF/IFAS publications.

Interpreting Soil Microbial Data Metrics for Soil Health

Adesuwa Erhunmwunse, Hui-Ling Liao, and Kaile Zhang

Soil microbes play important roles in soil health processes, such as nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and aggregate stability. Soil testing labs now include microbial analyses, which often come with unfamiliar terms. This publication aims to educate producers, Extension agents, policymakers, and the public on how to interpret these soil microbial results to better understand their implications for soil health and crop production.