Soil analysis: key to nutrient management planning

Introduction

Soil provides a reservoir of nutrients required by crops and also therefore for animals but not necessarily at optimum levels of immediate availability to plants. The purpose of soil analysis is to assess the adequacy, surplus or deficiency of available nutrients for crop growth and to monitor change brought about by farming practices. This information is needed for optimum production, to avoid transferring undesirable levels of some nutrients into the environment and to ensure a suitable nutrient content in crop products.

Farm assurance schemes, buyer's protocols and codes of practice are increasingly demanding more accurate fertiliser recommendations which must depend on the nutrient-supplying capacity of the soil. Regular soil analysis should be undertaken as a vital part of good management practice.