Nutrient Testing on Soil Samples

Test
Acidity pH
Nitrogen N
Phosphorous P
Potash K

East IL92336
29269
6.0
Depleted
N/A
Depleted

Mid IL92278
29271
5.8
No reaction
N/A
Depleted

West IL92205
29269
6.0
No reaction
N/A
Adequate

Figure 1 Nutrient Sampling

February 2015. Soil was tested at a depth of 10cm. The pH value of the soil is showing as
acidic. This acidity level will contribute to making the soil oligotrophic 1 and limit the species
able to colonize this soil.
Nitrogen (N) is essential for the development of chlorophyll. The N soil test read as being
depleted in one instance and there was no reaction to the test in the two other soil samples.

If

nitrogen was higher it could be expected that there would be more vegetative growth and more
grasses.
Phosporus (P) is related to fertility, root development and flowering. It needs low pH to function
efficiently and is soluble so leeches out of soil. The sampling capsule was damaged from
moisture and therefore no soil test could be done.
Potash (K) can be stored in soil but is problematic on acid soils. Potash is essential for vigorous
flowering. It aids in disease prevention, drought resistance & cold toleration, root development
& photosynthesis. The K soil test read depleted in two samples, adequate in the third.

Plate 1 Soil profile

Dark humus acidic soil.

Glacial till lighter in colour

1 Low in nutrients.