Soil Health testing

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POXC (pictured below) is a lab method of quantifying labile or 'reactive' carbon in the soil that is more sensitive to quantifying management changes or soil differences that goes above and beyond other standard lab measures like OM%. We offer this in house with rapid turnaround. (See NRCS bulletin below for more info)

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/reactive_carbon.pdf

PMN is a useful assessment in N availably now and over a certain period of time. This can be a useful tool for fertilizer management but also in assessing soil health practices effects on soil nutrient cycling! We offer both a rapid/routine assessment as well as a incubation method (7-day/28-day aerobic PMN). The rapid method is useful for more routine testing whereas the 7/28 day aerobic PMN is useful for more precise projects or needs. (See NRCS bulletin below for more info)

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/potentially_mineralizable_nitrogen.pdf

Soil respiration is extremely helpful in evaluating soil microbial activity and is a great starting point/baseline for assessing soil health! Not only are we providing lab measures of this but we are also partnered with real time/in field data logging sensors that display soil respiration real time! 

(See NRCS bulletin below for more info)

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/soil_respiration.pdf

We are now offering rapid soil texture analysis for site specific evaluation of soil texture since this is a key way to compare soil health data between different areas. The NRCS soil maps are useful but outdated and might not be accurate, a rapid texture analysis is also useful for soil health, irrigation, and various nutrient recommendations. 

Water holding capacity (WHC) is useful in measuring management differences between soils and can be a key soil physical assay - we use a percolation method for accurate and rapid analysis! In California, soil water storage is crucial making this a very relevant metric. 

Since Soil Health Lab does not offer every soil health metric out there, we are proud to have selected and offer fantastic metrics through strategic partnerships with other labs who are leading the way in soil health testing. Our role is offering dynamic pricing that includes shipping and handling of samples and interpretation and organization of these results.  

We think soil health can to be looked at through 3 major lenses: biological, chemical, and physical testing in order to best quantify changes or positive impacts of soil health building practices.  

 Tests can be customized and can include: 

• Total Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen (dry combustion)
• NPK, pH, and EC (looking at soil chemistry)
• The Haney Test  
• Wet Aggregate Stability 

Since Soil Health Lab is expanding - we will be offering even more testing later in 2024:

• Soil Food Web Assays
• Soil Enzyme Assays