Soil Research – the easiest way to get more profit!

The basic tool for verifying the production potential of our field is soil testing, i.e. determining the parameters that shape the production capacity of the soil. And the key to success is proper soil sample collection and professional interpretation of test results.

Among the factors determining the success of plant production, an important place is occupied by the appropriate selection of varieties. Breeding progress in recent decades is strongly focused on the selection of appropriate utility features of plants and increasing yields. However, whether our production reaches its maximum is the result of a rational, knowledge-based approach to fertilizing and cultivating our fields.

Statistically, it is soil sampling that accounts for the largest share of errors in soil analysis. The actual state in the field and the one in the analytical report are often two different values, and the discrepancies between them, instead of being a source of knowledge for us, become a holey pocket through which we lose tens of thousands of zlotys a year.

Healthy soil begins with determining its reaction, the abundance of available nutrients, both macro and microelements, the amount of humus, and the level of microbiological life. These basic characteristics make it possible to analyze the baseline condition for making further agronomic decisions, which have an impact on the productivity and economic profitability of the farm.

Of course, soil testing can be treated only as a formality that determines our payment, but this will not translate into a profit on the farm. Soil testing is the most important element in rationalizing fertilization and securing the nutritional needs of plants. Both the excess and the lack of an ingredient limit the action of the other ingredients, making them less effective or even unavailable to plants. The correct result and the analysis of soil quality indicators enable the calculation of the optimal dose and form of fertilizer.

From our recent experience on farms covered by professional soil testing, the savings were at the level of PLN 150-1000 / ha!

What to do to get savings at the indicated or even higher level?

We suggest implementing a regular soil analysis practice that will allow you to see the qualitative changes in the soil over the years. A prerequisite is the reproducibility and representativeness of soil samples. Reproducibility is possible thanks to the skills based on the exact knowledge of the fields and the stability of the movement pattern and puncture sites of individual samples that ultimately form a laboratory sample. If it is not possible to accurately reproduce the sampling pattern, it is helpful to use digital field maps and, based on the GPS signal, faithfully reproduce the puncture sites of individual samples during subsequent measurements. In addition to the professional collection of soil samples, it is also important to properly interpret the test results, which translates into a detailed plan of plant fertilization in the crop rotation.

It all starts with soil testing.

This is our knowledge base, without which it is difficult to run a profitable and competitive farm today. Testing the soil every 2-4 years is a necessity, and on parts of our fields that are problematic, we recommend performing the test even every year to find the causes of crop failure and choose the right remedies. The sooner, the better because the soil is not a vase, we will not change it like used water.

Authors: 

Tomasz Niedziński

Anna Danylczenko