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The comprehensive analysis of agricultural soil is performed using soil testing lab equipment. These tools are useful in assessing soil components to find out their quality for any purpose. The testing for soil samples is performed in laboratories under sufficient conditions. Labfit offers a complete range of soil testing equipment in Australia to perform holistic soil analysis. 

Given below are important soil testing procedures with soil testing equipment.

Types Of Agricultural Soil Tests

Lab testing equipment for soil includes the following types of soil tests:

Moisture content Test

Moisture content test expresses the percentage of water in the soil to its dry weight. The amount of moisture in soil influences varying intrinsic properties of soil such as permeability, compaction, particle size, etc. The most common test procedure used for soil moisture analysis is an over-drying method. This includes weighing the soil sample before and after drying it at 110 degrees Celsius. This difference observed in weight indicates the moisture content.

pH and Conductivity Test 

The pH test is performed to measure the extent of acidity or basicity of soil. Measuring pH gives the concentration of hydrogen ions carrying a positive charge. The higher is the concentration of hydrogen ions, the more acidic the soil is. Alternatively, the lower is the concentration of hydrogen ions, the more basic the soil is. Depending on how acidic or basic the soil is, the concentration of nutrients can vary. Also, it influences the conductivity of the soil. The testing equipment for PH and soil conductivity is AS3020 Robotic Analyzer.

Permeability Testing

This test is performed to analyze the permeability in a soil sample. In permeability, Soil Testing Laboratory Equipment is used to measure the water discharge rate under laminar flow through a unit cross-sectional mass of soil. This test helps in determining the drainage capabilities of the soil.

Soil Testing Laboratory Equipments

Labfit is one of the leading Soil Testing Equipments Suppliers in Australia renowned for offering a range of innovative and functional instruments. The company’s soil testing equipment portfolio includes automated pH robots, automated weighing instruments, Autosamplers, Thermogravimetric Robots, Combustion analyzers, Spectrometers, Carbon Sulfur Analyzer, Microanalysis systems, and dissolved oxygen meters.

AS3000Q multi-electrode soil pH robot is one of the popular high throughput automated pH robots from Labfit.

Top 10 Benefits with Types Of Soil Testing

Now that you have learned about different soil tests and soil testing equipment, let’s explore the reason why soil testing is a valuable practice.

  1. Soil testing enables you to explore the physical, biological, and chemical properties of soil which provides you with clear information about the soil’s health and what it is suitable for.
  2. Soil testing helps you determine the exact nutrient concentration in soil.
  3. PH can have a profound impact on the availability of nutrients in the soil as it affects their capability to absorb certain nutrients.
  4. Promotes efficient use of fertilizer. Soil testing helps you find out the exact nutrient deficiency your soil is experiencing which helps you in selecting the right fertilizer with the right constituents.
  5. The information you gain with soil testing can drastically improve your crop yield. With all information about important data points at your disposal, you can easily control your crop production.
  6. Keeps you informed regarding the amount of appropriate manure use based on soil test value.
  7. Timely soil evaluations help you follow a balanced approach to fertilization that plays a key role in promoting sustainable productivity.
  8. Soil testing can have a great significance in controlling environmental damage enforced due to optimum fertilization.
  9. Soil analysis provides improved knowledge about soil type to support informed decision-making on the best usage of soil.
  10. Consequently, the analysis made through soil testing improves overall soil health. They help maximize the quality and quantity of production. Additionally, it proves way effective in reducing operational costs involved in projects that heavily rely on soil and its intrinsic properties.