Arable crops - recommended analyses

Analysis suites for arable crops

Wheat, barley, oats, rye, oilseed rape, sugar beet, onion, carrots, brassica       

Analysis gives valuable information required to manage crop production in an efficient, cost-effective and sustainable way.

Soil analysis provides fundamental knowledge on the chemical, physical and biological status of a soil. This information is used to manage the soil and to develop an effective Nutrient Management Plan that optimises crop production.

Leaf analysis is used to monitor the performance of the nutrient management plan and make targeted applications to address in-season nutritional limitations.

What to analyse?

Most of the work, and cost, of analysis, is in the sampling and in the transport of the sample to the laboratory, once the sample has arrived it makes sense to get as much information as possible.

Soil analysis

Broad-spectrum extra + Solvita

This package provides a full picture of the soil’s overall health; physical, chemical and biological, and therefore the potential for producing high yielding, high quality crops.
Parameters included: P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn, pH, CEC, Organic Matter, Sand %, Silt %, Clay % and soil texture classification, plus the Solvita CO2 respiration test, microbial mass, C:N ratio, a Potential Mineralisable Nitrogen estimation and a soil health score.

Other soil analyses

There is also a wide range of other soil analyses available, more information on these can be found here.

Leaf analysis

Broad-spectrum leaf (BSL)

This package gives the nutrient levels for all twelve plant nutrients.
Nutrients included: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn

Grain analysis

Assess N:S ratio and protein content of grain or use a complete nutrient analysis to assess the performance of a nutrient management plan.

N:S ratio (NS)

Parameters included: N:S ratio

Broad Spectrum Grain (BSG)

This package gives the nutrient levels for all twelve plant nutrients.
Nutrients included: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn

Other tissue analyses

There is also a wide range of other leaf and tissue analyses available, more information on these can be found here.

Organic materials

Complete organic (SA7c or SA7d)

This package is suitable for both solid and liquid materials and provides a full picture of the nutrient content of the material to be applied.
Parameters included: Total N, Ammonium-N, Nitrate-N, P, K, Mg, Ca, S, Cu, Zn, Dry Matter, pH

Heavy metal

Heavy metal contamination (SA8)

The contamination of produce with heavy metals may pose a risk to human and/or animal health. This analysis package provides a check for any possible levels of contamination.
Nutrients included: Pb, Ni, As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Cu, Zn

Sampling procedures

Soil analysis

As a general rule, fields up to 10 Ha (25 Acres) in area can be sampled as one unit, providing each field is uniform e.g. with regard to soil type, past cropping, lime and fertiliser usage. Fields created by hedge removal are unlikely to be uniform.

Individual samples, whether of soil, leaves or fruit, should be taken along a carefully well-planned route across the field. The ‘W-pattern’ sampling path is adaptable to most shapes of field.

Start away from the gate, and avoid all areas which are not representative of the field as a whole such as head-lands, hedges, ditches, footpaths, fences, telegraph poles, sites of bonfires, fertiliser, lime or manure dumps.

Large fields, and fields that are not uniform, should be subdivided and each part sampled separately. Use a clean auger, hand trowel or spade (preferably chromium-plated or of stainless steel). Carry a plastic bucket.

We recommend at least 20 sampling guidelines samples, taken at regular intervals along the sampling path. Do not skimp on this number, even in small fields or areas.

At each of the sampling sites, take a sample to a depth of 15 cm (6”) for arable or 7.5 cm (3”) for grass, and place in a bucket. Thoroughly mix all samples, avoiding spillage.

Tissue analysis

Select a sampling path as described previously. At each sampling site take several leaves at the same stage of development* preferably the first fully-expanded leaves working away from the growing point. Take leaves only, not stems or roots. Avoid bruising or tearing the leaves, and do not include
leaves showing pest, disease or other damage. Avoid dusty or soil contaminated plants. Mix the leaves thoroughly, and take approximately 200 g or two handfuls. If the leaves are wet, blot them dry with clean absorbent material.

Take care when sampling for copper, zinc and manganese to avoid sampling leaves that have recently been sprayed with fungicides as they may be formulated with these elements and so give misleading analysis results.

Sampling equipment

If you need any sampling equipment or packaging please complete our contact form with details of what is required.