Why you need to conduct a soil test now

Do you know having your soil tested improves production?
The majority of small scale farmers are yet to embrace soil testing services. This is despite the many benefits the service provides such as helping determine the nutrition and pathogens present in the soil. In fact, many end up incurring heavy costs associated with crop treatment and in some instances eventual loss of the invested crop because of poor quality soil.

I will let you know some basic plant nutrition so that you can be able to see the importance of regular/annual soil testing. To be brief on plant nutrition, crops require certain levels of nutrients and PH. Nutrients are grouped into two categories ie Macronutrients (required in large quantities) and micronutrients (required in small quantities). Different crops require different soil fertility levels and pH, pH influence the availability of crop nutrients hence affecting crop performance.

Therefore, it’s necessary to have your soil tested for the following reasons:

• Increased food productivity.

You will know the present soil nutrients and soil amendments needed to manage your soil. Soil test analysis will give you a precise recommendation on best crops to grow and nutrient management strategies.

• Increased precision farming.

This will reduce guesswork when applying soil amendments such as fertilizers. Soil test analytics will provide you with the correct type of fertilizers to use and at what application rates.

• Soil and water conservation or general environmental conservation.

Soil analysis provide clear guidance on the right type and rates of product application thus avoiding chances of excessive product applications that may pollute the environment (detrimental effects on soil chemical, physical and soil biota, and water pollution)

• Reduced production costs.

Through soil testing, you will know the right amount of product application eg fertilizers. Most farmers rely on available information on fertilizer application rates which might be misleading due to changes in soil fertility status.
Soil pathology management. Current soil borne pathogens such as nematodes, diseases such as Fusarium and Bacterial wilts threatens horticultural practitioners. Soil testing will help you know the infestation levels and how best you can manage such soil problems.

• Soil salinity/EC will help you know the correct amount of water for irrigation

Keynote: Sampling should be done by skilled personnel so that the right procedures may be followed otherwise the results will be subject to errors made during soil collection in the field.

Now you know the advantages and importance of having your soil tested.

For soil sampling and analysis kindly contact us at 0705554425 or farmlinkkenya@gmail.com or chat us on FB: @farmlinkkenya.com

We look forward to hearing from you.