Rapid soil Nitrate and Ammonium analysis

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Soil testing of inorganic N (NO3 & NH4) is a valuable approach for growers looking to optimize their N inputs while ensuring the crop has adequate levels of N. With this approach we can help growers apply only what is needed throughout the life of the crop creating fertilizer saving that more than pay for the testing costs. Also as water board regulations encroach upon growers and limit N units/acre in order to reduce nitrate loading and leaching into ground water; our testing services will allow growers to be able to make the best informed decision as to how to stretch out those decreased units in order to maintain productivity. 

Soil Health Lab follows the University of California guidelines (link below) for nitrogen fertilization testing and goes above and beyond in: 

• Utilizing specialized and calibrated testing equipment with consistent sample preparation procedures that provide trustworthy, replicable data over the industry standard quick test strips.  
• Rapid turnaround - samples are taken/or received by mid day and ran each afternoon with results in growers hands by the evening. 
• Context - Soil Health Labs database stores results for each field and ranch in order to observe trends over time in specific fields since soil N levels ebb and flow, hence context is critical in making confident recommendations when crops are on the line. 
• Analysis of NH4 along with the standard NO3, again context in that higher than normal NH4 levels can signify errors in sampling or sample timing and can build confidence in the NO3 level we are looking at is correct. 

 https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=58354