Recognized soil health indicators We offer

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Soil respiration is extremely helpful in evaluating soil microbial activity and is a great starting point/baseline for assessing soil health! To read more:

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

 Soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) are critical indicators of soil health and serve as the gold standard metrics for assessing soil carbon stocks. High levels of SOC signal robust microbial activity, improved soil structure, and enhanced nutrient cycling, all of which contribute to long-term soil fertility and resilience. Similarly, adequate TN supports plant growth, efficient nutrient use, and sustained soil productivity.

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! To read more:

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

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. To read more:

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

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 offer metrics through strategic partnerships with other labs who are leading the way in soil health testing as well. 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: 

• NPK, pH, and EC (looking at soil chemistry)
• The Haney Test   

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

• Soil Food Web Assays
• Soil Enzyme Assays