Soil

We offer a wide spectrum of soil services and strive to accommodate special requests to suit the unique needs of our customers. Our aim is to produce trustworthy data within the shortest turnaround times allowed by the test protocols.

NviroTek Laboratories

A multitude of laboratory tests are performed to assist with valuable decision making regarding the following:

Soil Sample

Analysis Packages

General

Standard Soil : pH (water or KCl), P (Bray I or II), Ca, Mg, K, Na, S (AmAc), Exchangeable Acidity, Density, Calculated Cation %, -ratios, S -and T-values. pH and P to be specified:

01ST01 pH (KCl) and P (Bray I) | 01ST04 pH (KCl) and P (Bray II)

01ST03 pH (water) and P (Bray I) | 01ST02 pH (water) and P (Bray II)

Mehlich III Basic : pH (KCl) or pH (water), Ca, Mg, K, P, S, Na, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, B

Mehlich III Standard: pH (KCl) or pH (water), P (Bray I/II), Ca, Mg, K, P, S, Na, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, B

Mehlich III Complete : pH (water), P (Bray I/II), Ca, Mg, K, P, S, Na, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, B, Carbon (LOI), Calculated TEC, H & Other Bases

Cape Standard: pH (water/KCl), P (Bray II), Ca, Mg, K, Na, S (AmAc), Eksteen Exchangeable Acidity, Density, Calculated Cation %, -ratios, S -and T-values, Resistance

Single Parameters

Additional P (Olsen/Truog/Bray I/II)

Additional pH (water/KCI)

Available Boron (Hot Water Extract)

Cl (Chloride)

Eksteen Exchangeable Acidity

Estimated Clay (Hand method)

Stone Fraction

C (Carbon - Walkley Black method)

C (Carbon - Loss on Ignition / Ashing method)

C (Total Carbon - Combustion / Dumas method)

Lime Requirement

CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity)

Micro's (HCl) (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn)

Micro's (DTPA) (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn)

Micro's (Mehlich III) (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, S, B)

Mo (Molybdenum)

S (CaPO4)

Ni (Nickel - DTPA)

Texture (Clay, Silt, Sand)

Sand Fractions (includes Texture analysis)

Extractable Nitrogen (NH4 + NO3)

N-Check (includes Extractable Nitrogen, Moisture and Density)

Total Nitrogen (Combustion / Dumas method)

Exchangeable Aluminium

Resistance (Saturated Paste)

Chemical Dispersion - pH, Conductivity, ESP, EMgP, SAR

Soil Sample Guidelines
General guidelines for soil sampling for laboratory analyses

The sample must represent the fields to be fertilized

Separate samples from each management or soil area:

If the soil type and management is similar, a composite sample of a field of approximately 20 hectares can be taken.

If soil areas differ significantly (color, slope, texture and drainage) the field should be sampled separately.

Follow a random pattern when sampling the area to ensure it is truly a representative sample (see example below):

A soil probe is the best tool for obtaining a soil sample. Alternatively, a small shovel or spade is satisfactorily.

Cores should be taken from surface to a depth of 24 to 30cm.

Collect approximately 10 to 15 individual cores of uniform size and depth, should be composite in a clean plastic bucket.

Mix all the cores thoroughly and take a sub-sample for the laboratory of 500g or 400ml.

All samples must be mark clearly and complete the submission document.

NviroTek Laboratories supply small plastic sample bags on request.

Contact Leoni Erasmus on 082 889 0139 / [email protected] for more information.