Soil Testing

Soil tests provide the best way to determine lime and fertilizer requirements. The shotgun approach to vegetable crop fertilization is not practical or economical. The vegetable grower must know the nutrient status of the soil and then match application rates of lime and fertilizer to crop needs. This is important for cost effectiveness and to achieve optimum yield and quality and to safeguard water quality. Following is a list of soil test laboratories in New England. It is best to use local labs because they are calibrated for local soils and recommendations and are tailored to New England conditions. The nutrient recommendation tables for vegetable crops in this guide are applicable to the New England soil test results given as “Very Low, Medium, High (Optimum), and Very High (Above Optimum or Excessive).”  Tests are designed to measure nutrient levels in the soil which are available to plants. Generally, nutrients should be in the "High" (Optimum) range for good yield and quality. When levels are below this range, the addition of more of the nutrient will usually improve production. However, factors other than nutrients may limit crop growth, and simply adding more nutrients will not improve yield. If a nutrient is in the "Very High" (Above Optimum or Excessive) range, additional amounts should not be added in most cases. If levels are in the "High" (Optimum) range) additional application of that nutrient is generally not necessary, but some amount may be added to replace crop uptake. In the nutrient tables for the crop sections, this is indicated by a range such as "0 to 50" lb/A. Crops vary in their requirements for nutrients, and this is accounted for in the nutrient tables. This is shown in Table 6 on page 10.

In addition to standard soil tests, other services are available in some of these laboratories including: Pre-Sidedress Soil Nitrate Test (PSNT), soluble salts (conductivity), manure analysis, compost analysis, water testing and plant tissue analysis. Call your laboratory to find out which services it offers or where they are available.

See the soil testing section of the NE Vegetable Management Guide for more information, a list of local soil testing labs, and help interpreting results.

UMass Soil Testing Lab

The Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Laboratory is located on the campus of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Testing services are available to all. The lab's function is to provide test results and recommendations that lead to the wise and economical use of soils and soil amendments.

Please consult the On Line Brochure and Order Form for information on submitting soil samples for testing.  See the List of Services for the price and description of other tests available through the UMass Lab.

Phone:  (413) 545-2311
Fax:  (413) 545-1931
Email: soiltest@psis.umass.edu

Mailing Address:

Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Lab
West Experiment Station
682 North Pleasant Street
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA  01003