Request for info

caingels@ucdavis.edu
Thu, 15 Sep 1994 15:49:48 -0700

Dear SANnetters - I had a request from a farm advisor for information on how
to interpret soil analyses. Growers frequently ask him to do so, but the
University does not seem to be able to provide interpretive guides, so he
often cannot help the growers. He is particularly interested in how to
interpret nutrient analyses, especially macronutrients and secondary
nutrients. He fully understands that analyzing leaf tissue is a better
means by which to gauge fertility, and that specific guidelines may depend on
the crop. Nonetheless, soil samples may fill in an additional part of the
fertility picture. Also, growers often take soil samples before planting a
crop. Any words of wisdom?

Also, are there substantial differences in soil test results among labs?

Thanks in advance.

Chuck Ingels
Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program
University of California
Davis, CA 95616
(916) 757-3276
caingels@ucdavis.edu