Most farmers are familiar with standard soil testing. Typically, a lab will report back on a few basic indicators such as pH, nitrogen (N), phosphate (P), potash (K), and magnesium (Mg). Some tests are more advanced and include analysis of micronutrients and organic matter too.
These tests can provide a useful guide, but not for all nutrients and they do not factor the dynamics, interactions, synergies or antagonisms that occur in the field. A field’s performance depends on a much wider set of factors that influence nutrient availability and plant uptake.
Limitations of standard soil tests
Nutrient lock-up – Nutrients such as phosphate may be present in the soil but unavailable to plants due to chemical binding (‘lock up’) with a wide range of other soil minerals.
Nutrient interactions – High levels of one nutrient (e.g. magnesium) can restrict uptake of others (e.g. potassium).
Soil health factors such as organic matter content, microbial activity and soil structure, even if measured, are not usually assessed in terms of effect on nutrient availability or cycling.
As a result, standard tests can lead to fertiliser recommendations that are either excessive or poorly balanced to crop demand.
How OptiYield expands the picture
OptiYield analysis measures 18 different soil health indicators, compared with the limited scope of standard tests. These include:
- pH, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium (as in standard tests)
- Manganese, Zinc, Iron, Copper, Boron, Molybdenum (as in extended tests)
- Cation balance (calcium, magnesium, potassium interactions)
- Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) and Base Saturation (BS)
- Bicarbonate, Soluble Silicon and exchangeable Aluminium
- Soil Texture and “Soil Fitness” (crop specific)
- Phosphorus Sorption Index (availability of soil phosphate to crops)
- Potassium maximum supply & demand rates (crop specific)
- Organic matter and biological activity indicators
- Includes intended additions of organic manures and available nutrients in its calculations
By measuring both nutrient levels and their availability alongside many other important factors, the OptiYield system uses complex algorithms developed over several decades and backed by trials to provide a ‘Real World’ assessment of what is usable by the crop, rather than simply what is present in the soil.
The OptiYield system then uses this information on to provide full crop lifecycle recommendations covering base fertilisers and nutrition for each growth stage of the crop up to harvest.
Practical benefits
With this broader analysis, fertiliser programmes are tailored to:
- Improve nutrient uptake efficiency
- Reduce waste from locked-up or blocked nutrients
- Support healthier soils over the long term
Standard soil analysis is a useful starting point, but it does not capture the full complexity of nutrient availability. OptiYield provides a more complete picture, helping farmers make more informed decisions about fertiliser use.
For for details contact Simon Fox 01242 506206 or to sens a soil sample for OptiYield analysis click here https://bit.ly/4fYjG25