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Show Know Your Soil Testing Services Many people are not familiar with the soil analysis services that are available at Utah State University to help them with their farming and gardening. Reuel E. Lamborn, director of the USU Soil, Plant and Water Analysis Laboratory, has answered a few questions indicating the services that are provided. Q. For whom do you do analysis work? A. About half of our work is done in support of research here on campus. We also do a substantial amount for various government agencies, and for Utah farmers and gardeners. A. As a Utah farmer, I'm concerned about the fertilizer shortages resulting from the energy pinch. What help can you give me? A. We can help you achieve the most efficient use of the fertilizer available. By testing samples of your soil to determine the present fertility status of a field or a garden, we have a sound basis for determining whether you need to apply any fertilizer. If you do, we indicate how much of what kind would be best for the crop you plan to grow in that field. If the tests show that your soil has ample plant nutrients, we will recommend that fertilizer not be applied. You can leave the fertilizer for someone else who really needs it to meet his crop needs. This saves you money and results in more efficient use of available materials and best over-al- l crop production. Q. What has your experience shown as the general fertility status of Utah soils? A. We find that our soils range widely from very deficient to very excessive amounts of certain plant nutrients. To learn the fertility status of the soil in a particular field it is necessary to test it. Generally, FARM SUPPLEMENT 14, 1977 THURSDAY, APRIL make reasonably good recom- mendations for N. These are based on information you supply on a soil description sheet that you send in with each soil sample. It asks for the location of the land, source and adequacy of water, crop to be grown, and the crop and fertilizer history. Q. How do I go about getting my soil tested? A. It is best to get sampling instructions, and sample bags and mailing boxes from your County Agent at the nearest USU Extension Office. Follow the sampling instructions carefully, provide the information asked for, and ship the samples to the laboratory at Utah State University in Logan. We will mail test results and fertilizer recommendations within a week from the day we receive the samples in our lab. Q. Is there a charge for this? A. Yes, we must charge enough to pay for the service. You can get information on this from my of the Extension offices. important. In many cases it is the only nutrient element not present in the soil in amounts sufficient to produce a good these are our observations: crop. However, we don't test for (1.) Utah soils do not need N except for research plots and lime as indicated in articles for sugar beet growers because from other areas; (2.) Potas- there are a lot of technical probsium (potash) is adequate, ex- lems involved in testing for Pat was engaged putting a cept for a few areas in the available nitrogen. To get reliaUintah Basin and some very ble results, you must sample water main into the poorhouse. Saturday came and the boss sandy, excessively drained carefully to at least a three-foo- t saw Pat dolefully examining his soils; (3.) Phosphorus is varia- depth at several points in a field pay packet. "Mistake in your ble, depending mostly on and the samples must be dried whether manure or commercial or frozen within 24 hours. wages, Pat?" he asked. fertilizers have been applied to Presently, the extra work and "Oh, no," said Pat, "but I was the particular field. cost is considered justified only just wondering whether me or e The soil test gives a measure the water would be in the for sugar beets. of potassium (P) and phosphorfirst." do can we and However, us (K) indicating whether these are adequate. Many of the garden samples we have tested with P have been and K. In some cases this has caused problems with salt and imbalance of nutrients. Q. What about trace elements? A. Utah soils are generally Two ways to he quick without hurrying. well supplied with these. Some Snapper is fast so you can get through fast. orchards have shown iron, zinc ; why: or manganese deficiencies. We V h:,K is mounted behind the rlSS 111 have detected only a couple of I Ik mower zinc deficiencies in other crops o grass hags for fewer in the state. Some flowers and deficient become garden plants I m actio- nin iron in a few areas, usually e lawn. tor an xtra an in J lime. soils, jTJ wet, heavy high today However, in most areas under :er is 9-average conditions, most crops do not need more trace ele' ments. Adding trace elements you. poor-hous- over-fertiliz- HI.. V 1 t0rJsglUJ "for insurance" can cause nutrient imbalance problems and be more detrimental than helpful. If you request it we can test for these elements, but usually the extra cost is not justified. Q. What is the situation with nitrogen? A. Nitrogen (N) is extremely All Snapper mowers meet Duff ANSI safety specifications. 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