soil test

We provide soil testing services for clients around the world through Brookside Labs, and have an active research program in the area of turfgrass nutrition, soil and plant analysis, and sampling methods.

Minimum levels for sustainable nutrition—MLSN—is a modern method for interpreting soil tests for turfgrass.

A project that investigated soil nutrient levels of good-performing turf all over the world.

Measure exact topdressing effect, and requirement, by checking total organic material by depth.

My advice is to test for soil nutrients at the time of the year when nutrient levels are likely to be at their lowest. In temperate climates in which there is some precipitation during the summer, then this is an autumn timing.

Once upon a time, I presented the manganese availability index (MnAI) on soil reports. I also put a line at 45. When the MnAI was less than 45, I recommended Mn application.

The MLSN guidelines were developed using a database of soil test results from good performing turf. The Mehlich 3 extractant was used to obtain these results.1 That leads to a common question, one that goes something like “I’d like to use MLSN but my soil test was done with a different extractant.

Soil testing is amazing. Many critical parameters can be measured on a small sample. The test results can then be used to improve turfgrass performance, adjust soil pH, apply necessary fertilizers, and much, much more.

I have a suggestion. Turfgrass managers do a lot of work for the purpose of organic matter management. We teach seminars, or sit through seminars, about managing organic matter. When referring to organic matter, or contemplating its management, I think people in the turfgrass industry tend to lump together all the organic materials, the humus and the dead roots and the decomposing leaf sheaths and leaves and rhizomes, and the living parts of the grass plants that happen to be underground.

Soil nutrient levels change because grass is growing and grass uses nutrients. This change is in one direction—down—because nutrients are removed from the soil as the grass grows. Fertilizer addition and addition of nutrients through irrigation water or topdressing materials can cause soil nutrient content to increase.