Soil Testing
A soil test is crucial for a number of reasons, including maximising crop production, protecting the environment from runoff and excess fertiliser leaching, assisting in the diagnosis of plant culture issues, enhancing the nutritional balance of the growing medium, and saving money and energy by using only the necessary amount of fertiliser. Analyses of pre-plant media give a hint as to possible nutrient deficiencies, pH imbalances, or too many soluble salts. This is crucial for growers who prepare their own media. An essential tool for controlling crop nutrition and levels of soluble salts is media testing during the growing season.
Why Conduct Soil Testing?
The first step in any healthy crop production programme is to determine the precise nutrients present in your farm soil as well as its pH. Depending on the health and condition of the soil, crops are typically grown on a very wide variety of soil types with varying requirements for fertiliser. By adding too many nutrients, soil can become unbalanced, which eventually affects the environment and contaminates water and the creatures that live there.
What is the pH of Soil?
On a scale of 0 to 14, the pH of a soil indicates how acidic or alkaline it is. Zero denotes extremely high acidity, whereas fourteen denotes extremely high alkalinity, and seven denotes neutrality. A farm's ideal soil should have a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. The availability of nutrients in the soil is directly impacted by a slight pH imbalance. Acidic or sour soils require the application of products containing limestone, whereas alkaline soils require the application of products containing sulphur. For proper nutrient uptake and plant health, it is essential to carry out the task gradually when adjusting the pH of a farm's soil, which may take several years.
The following are the main benefits of testing farm soil:
1) It informs the farmer of the soil's current condition and how to improve it
The soil's biological, chemical, and physical characteristics determine its fertility. The eye can see characteristics like structure, soil texture, and colour. However, it is challenging to determine the chemical makeup of soil. Soil diagnosis is necessary, which is why soil sampling is important. The pH and level of nutrients in the soil are determined through soil tests. Farmers who have this knowledge can specify the type and amount of fertiliser that will best improve the soil on their farm. This is crucial because healthy crops require fertile soils to grow.
2) Fertilizer costs are reduced as a result of soil testing
There will be no wastage of such farm inputs if you know the precise deficiency that your soil is experiencing. Farmers are prevented from wasting money on unnecessary additional fertiliser application by knowing how much and what kind of fertilisers their crops and soil require. Additionally, inorganic fertilisers' nutrients, like potassium and phosphorus, are scarce resources. Because of their limited or rather finite supply, it is necessary to use these resources carefully in order to avoid a future shortage.
3) In some cases, overfertilization has been found in soil tests
Overfertilization results from fertiliser application to soil without knowledge of the precise and actual nutrient requirements. Farmers are prevented from applying an excessive amount of fertiliser and the associated environmental damage is minimized by testing their soil first and receiving informed fertiliser recommendations. Overfertilization may cause nutrient leaching, water pollution, and irreparable harm to aquatic life. All of these detrimental environmental effects can be avoided with just a simple soil test. Furthermore, excessive fertiliser use could harm crops and the environment by causing fertiliser burn.
4) Farmers can quickly prevent soil erosion
According to research, erosion, which is brought on by improper soil management, results in the loss of more than 24 billion tonnes of fertile soil annually. Additionally, an estimated 1.5 billion people's livelihoods and health are directly impacted by land degradation. The process of restoring the soil is expensive, challenging, and time-consuming. As a result, it is simpler to improve soil management through soil testing, and applying the proper amounts of
5) Farmers who work in fertile soils can help feed the world's expanding population
The soil is under more stress than ever before thanks to the current generation. To produce the yields necessary to feed the world's ever-increasing population, fertile soils are required. Increased crop production results from better soil health, which may solve the global food security problems. Millions of people will eventually live better lives as a result of this. The first step in managing soil is soil testing. The activity provides farmers with useful knowledge that aids in improving the health of the soil; in turn, healthy soils imply healthy crops!
The value of soil testing has been understood since the beginning. In farming, it's crucial to take note of different soil types and variations in soil properties.
Farmer Advantages
There are many advantages to soil testing for farmers. Crop growth is improved by healthy soil. Before the harvest, farmers can start testing their soil to learn how they can improve it. Farmers can gain from these advantages by:
• Increasing yields and profits because you are giving your crops the nutrients they need.
• Improving the uniformity of nutrient availability throughout a field.
• Better crop growth uniformity. Additionally, this makes individual plants more resistant to weeds and streamlines procedures like cultivation and spraying.
• More constant plant maturation This can make crop drying and harvesting Easier while also enhancing market quality.
• Allowing for the precise adjustment of which nutrients are required. assisting you in allocating your fertiliser budget toward the nutrients that will increase your profits the most.
Kisaan Helpline – who are we?
A dedicated full-stack data-driven technology platform for farmers called Kisaan Helpline seeks to improve farming and farmers' intelligence. Our research-based information provides farmers with better options for 150 crops up until harvest.
We give rural youths, individual farmers, and groups the chance to set up their very own mini lab for a soil health assessment.
In order to improve soil texture and provide better plant nutrition advice, we will install a small soil lab at the block level or the closest point to the farmer's reach. We will also advocate organic farming to preserve soil.
What role does the Kisaan Helpline play in soil testing?
Mini Lab for Digital Soil Testing
An advanced soil testing kit is the digital soil testing mini lab. It examines 14 different aspects of the soil, makes fertiliser dosage recommendations for 100 different crops, prints soil health cards, has a built-in battery backup of six hours, and can be powered by solar energy.
The Ministry of Agriculture of the Government of India has approved the use of the Digital Soil Testing Mini Lab for the Soil Health Card mission.
Digital Soil Testing Mini Lab
Tests 14 aspects of the soil and suggests amounts of fertiliser for 100 different crops.
Prints Soil Testing Report with complimentary Thermal Printer
Sends Soil Testing Report to Mobile via Bluetooth & Computer via USB
Has 6-hours in-built battery back-up
Can be charged via solar panel
Complete test in short span of time
Can be operated by anyone after free training
Tests all parameters required under Soil Health Card mission
Parameters Tested
Organic carbon (OC)
Available nitrogen (N)
Available phosphorus (P)
Available potassium (K)
Available copper (Cu)
Available manganese (Mn)
Electrical conductivity
Available zinc (Zn)
Available Sulphur (S)
Available boron (B)
Available iron (Fe)
Lime Requirement Test For Acidic Soil
Gypsum Requirement Test For Alkaline Soil
pH
The following services are provided:
- An evaluation of the irrigation water's quality.
- Soil and plant testing for macro- and micronutrients.
- A thorough nutritional analysis of manure intended solely for research.
- Testing for heavy metals and other pollutants in samples of soil and plants.
- Advice on how to apply fertilisers prudently.
- A recommendation for handling problematic soils.
We sincerely hope that this article on soil testing labs has helped you learn something new, and if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're happy to help you in any way we can at the Kisaan Helpline!
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