Soil & PlantTissue Testing for Florida Pastures

Ed Jennings

UF-IFAS Extension

Pasco County

Soil TestChemical analysis to assess the plant-available nutrient status, salinity, and elemental toxicity of a soil

Soil sample collection: representative of the entire area of interest

• Differences in soil type

• Areas managed or cropped differently

• Areas that clearly have some type of problem

Differences in Soil Type

Soil Test Handling and submitting your soil sample

1. Samples are thoroughly mixed

2. Sub-sample should be placed in a clean and properly labeled soil sample bag

3. Samples should be delivered to lab as soon as possible after collection

Area B - Dark colored soil

Area A - Light colored soil

Yield will be limited by the element in

shortest supply in relation to plants needs

Target pH for different forage crops grown

on mineral soils1 Crop Category Target pH

Bahiagrass 5.0-5.5

Bermudagrass, and limpograss 5.5

Small grains and ryegrass 6.0

Perennial peanut 6.0

Clover 6.5

Alfalfa 7.0

Fertilizer Label

• Nitrogen – Phosphorus – K Potassium

• Always in this same order, by law

• Each number is percentage of that nutrient

• 6-6-6 is 6 % N, 6%P, & 6%K

• That’s only 18% or 18 lbs per 100

• Whats the rest ?

Critical Plant Nutrient Levels in Bahiagrass Tissue

Plant Nutrient Critical Concentration %

Nitrogen < 1.5

Phosphorous < 0.15

Potassium <1.2

Example Report

•LIME AND FERTILIZER RECOMMENDATIONS

•Crop: Bahiagrass

•Lime:427.0 lbs per acre (1 Ton = 2000 Lbs)

•Nitrogen: 60 lbs per acre

•Phosphorus: 0 lbs per acre

•Potassium: 0 lbs per acre

•Magnesium: (Mg) 0 lbs per acre

•LIME AND FERTILIZER RECOMMENDATIONS

•Crop: Improved perennial grasses other than bahiagrass(bermuda,digit,limpo,star)

•Lime: 0.0 lbs per acre (1 Ton = 2000 Lbs)

•Nitrogen: 160 lbs per acre

•Phosphorus: 0 lbs per acre

•Potassium: 80 lbs per acre

•Magnesium: (Mg) 0 lbs per acre

Some Useful Links

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/departments/soilwater.html

http://soilslab.ifas.ufl.edu/ESTL%20Home.asp

http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx