For more information on QuickSoil sampling click here

QuickSoil Analyses:

pH, SIL (Soluble Ion Load), NO₃-N, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Cl

Additional Tests:

NH₄-N

What is a QuickSoil Test?

The nutrient uptake potential of crops is affected greatly by the concentration of various salts in the soil solution. Many elements are dependant on uptake against the osmotic gradient between the soil solution and the root solution, and the rate of uptake is affected by the magnitude of the gradient as well as the ratios of competing ions in the soil solution.

The QuickSoil test is a measure of dissolved or readily dissolved and available ions in the soil solution and is interpreted to estimate the potential for actual uptake by the plant. The methods of extraction are different to the normal extractions which estimate "plant available" nutrients or nutrients that can be accessed by the plant over a period of time provided leaching, waterlogging or dry stress do not occur, and the application of antagonistic elements or soil amendments are not made.

What does a QuickSoil Test Show?

• Fast assessment for the availability of the major nutrients in the active root zone
• Balance between the major nutrients
• Shows the effect of irrigation practices and rainfall events on the nutrient levels in the active root zone

Benefits of using QuickSoil Monitoring

• Maintain consistent plant growth with controlled nutrient uptake
• Optimise plant height with controlled applications of nitrogen
• Reduce rank vegetative growth by maintaining SIL levels and optimising nitrogen inputs
• Allow for even fruit setting by controlling growth rates and nutrient uptake
• Fill fruit evenly to improve internal quality by maintaining optimal levels of potassium
• Maintain availability of essential nutrients
• § Reduce effects of adverse weather on fruit by manipulating the SIL and nutrients levels to control water and nutrient uptake

How is the Data Displayed?

To enable the grower to be able to understand sap and QuickSoil results more easily, a standardised method of reporting the results is used. For each element an upper and lower optimal level has been determined, which varies according to different crop stages. The standardised method of reporting converts all data to a range of between 1 and 1000, with the optimal range between 500 and 700. The test results are compared against the optimal range for the particular element at the particular crop stage, and a standardised figure is calculated. There are a number of benefits of reporting the data in this manner:

• The grower can easily understand the results, as all parameters have the same optimal range (500 to 700) and can be viewed on the same chart
• When using trend graphing with multiple sampling, the optimal line is straight for all elements and all crop stages
• Interpretation is easier for the consultants and advisors, as constant referral to a large manual of optimal range charts is unnecessary (this is built in to the software). This saves time in providing recommendations
• When necessary, optimal ranges can be upgraded in the software

Reports and Recommendations

As with any testing system, the interpretation of the results is an extremely important step, and the best results can only be obtained if the interpretations and recommendations are made by trained and experienced agronomists. This is even more important with sap and QuickSoil tests than with conventional soil and dried tissue tests, as the former are designed to monitor more variable and dynamic parameters. Because the changes in element level in sap and QuickSoil tests are highly sensitive to irrigation and environmental influences, the meaning of a high or low reading for any element does not necessarily translate to deficiency or toxicity. A pattern of element changes can be a strong indicator to certain type of stress within the plant.

The integration of irrigation and nutrition information is a key part of accurately monitoring crop performance. Crop Tech "Integrator" software has been designed to detect and identify these complex patterns. Crop Tech provides an interpretation and recommendation service (included in the price of the analysis) which utilises the software and experience gained from 19 years of interpretations. Crop Tech also provides training for consultants and growers to improve the understanding of interpretations and nutrient monitoring.

Report Handling

The example shows the style of the report that can be generated from our Integrator software. The reports can be sent in a number of ways to our clients:

1. Emailed directly from software
2. Faxed directly from software
3. Sent as a Data Transfer if the client has a copy of the Integrator software
4. Printed and Faxed/Mailed.

For more information on QuickSoil Sampling click here