Page 105 - Nutrient Management Planning Guide

100

Practical Use of Soil Analysis Results

Important Terms

Table 3.4.1 Key Terms and Definitions

Term Definition

Atoms

The smallest particle of an element that can exist as a stable entity, either alone or in combination. Atomic Weight

The average mass of an atom of an element as it occurs in nature. This is made up of the weighted sum of the masses of the protons and neutrons composing the atom. Labile

Readily or continually undergoing chemical, physical or biological change or breakdown. A substance readily transformed by micro-organisms or readily available to plants.

more info

Refer to Chapter 3.3 for more information on how to collect a quality, representative soil sample from a site.

The soil analysis report provides the information necessary to set nutrient application targets, which are used to calculate manure and fertilizer application rates. Test results from regular field sampling (particularly from benchmark sites) allow monitoring and detection of changes in soil parameters (e.g., nutrients, pH, and salinity) with time.

Soil analysis results must be interpreted within the context of expected yield response for the crop to be

grown under specific environmental and management conditions. The interpretations discussed in this chapter are specific to Alberta soils and are based on extensive field and laboratory research. The results of a lab analysis are only as good as the quality of the samples collected and the sampling strategy used. Poor samples that are not representative of field conditions will lead to inaccurate nutrient recommendations.