Lab Testing Packages

United Soils. Inc., prides itself on delivering the highest quality results. Our quality control methods follow high industry standards to ensure accuracy and precision of each and every test result. We participate in three separate industry proficiency and certification programs to ensure our test quality. We double and triple check, so you don't have to.

Soil Fertility

S1

Fertility & Macronutrients: pH, Phosphorus, Potassium, Color Match Organic Matter, Buffer pH, Calcium, Magnesium, CEC, and % Base Saturations

S2
Fertility, Macros & Micronutrients: S1 + Sulfur, Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Copper, and Boron

S8
Fertility, Macros, Micros & LOI OM: S2 + Organic Matter (LOI)

Manure
AMMONIUM_N, ASH, CN_RATIO, K2O, MOISTURE, OM_LOI, ORGANIC_N, P2O5, PH, TOTAL_B, TOTAL_C, TOTAL_CA, TOTAL_CU, TOTAL_FE, TOTAL_MG, TOTAL_MN, TOTAL_N, TOTAL_NA, TOTAL_S, TOTAL_SOLIDS, TOTAL_ZN
Call testing package options

 

Method Notes: All micronutrients in the S2 & S8 packages are tested using the Mehlich III method to provide a cost effective, general overview of your soils "total nutrient bank". Upgrade Option: You can always upgrade your standard package to DTPA testing. Combine our S1 Macro package with the DTPA micronutrient method, or submit composite samples for DTPA testing. See S3, S5, S6 Below 

 

Lawn & Garden: Click to see additional information

Hands holding dark, rich soil.
Hands holding a small green plant.

Micronutrients

All micronutrient packages below are extracted using DTPA and Monocalcium Phosphate (for non-metal elements)

S3
S, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, B

S5
Zn, S, B

S6
Any individual micronutrient

Method Difference: Mehlich III shows the soils "total nutrient bank" counting everything physically in the soil including what is locked up. DTPA only counts what is active and available for crop uptake right now which is why DTPA numbers look lower on paper but are more realistic for fertilizer planning.

Soil Nitrate Sample Collection

PSNT 1
(Depth 12-24) per Sample Site Collection Fee

PSNT 2
(Depth 12-24) per Sample Site Collection Fee

Travel Fee
per hour for service tech travel To & Between the field(s) min

  • USI utilizes ATV units with sub-meter GPS receivers.
  • Samplers follow client instructions or university handbook pulling recommendations (# of samples & depth).

Soil test methods based on procedures described in North Central Regions Recommended Chemical Soil Test Procedures: https://extension2.missouri.edu/sb1001

Person in gloves handling soil and test tube.
Hands holding a small seedling in soil.

Plant-Tissue Sample Analysis Packages

PT1
Mineral Package: Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Sulfur, Iron, Manganese, Boron, Copper, and Zinc

PT2
Standard Package: Nitrogen (N) + PT1 Mineral Package: Total Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Sulfur, Iron, Manganese, Boron, Copper, and Zinc

Individual Plant-Tissue Sample Analysis

PT3
Nitrogen (N) Only

PT3C
Total Carbon (C) Only

⚠️ IMPORTANT REMINDER: IF SHIPPING TISSUE KEEP SAMPLES COOL & DRY
  • Ship Chilled: Always include wrapped gel ice packs in your shipping box to prevent heat damage en route.
  • Never Use Plastic Bags: Pack leaves in paper bags only so they can breathe. Plastic bags cause immediate rot.
  • Remove Surface Moisture: Air dry damp leaves on paper towels for 1 hour before packing if shipping.
  • Ship Early: Mail packages Monday - Wednesday only use fast 1-2 day, or overnight options to ensure sample is received before weeks end to ensure accurate nutrient data for your nitrogen and mineral packages, samples must arrive at the lab fresh and dry. Warm, trapped moisture destroys sample integrity within 48 hours.

PT5
CSNT Nitrate-Nitrogen: Corn Stalk Nitrate Test

Grain Testing

GT1
Mineral Package: Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Sulfur, Iron, Manganese, Boron, Copper, and Zinc

GT2
Standard Package: Nitrogen (N) + PT1 Mineral Package: Total Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Sulfur, Iron, Manganese, Boron, Copper, and Zinc

Plant-Tissue Sample Collection

  • Precise plant-tissue results are possible only when carefully selected plant material is submitted for analysis.
  • Accurate sampling requires that select parts of a plant are collected at certain stages of plant development.
  • A plant's nutritional condition differs for each variety, stage of development, and growing area. It is recommended to select plant tissue representative of a particular variety and growing area. Place samples in unlined paper bags.
  • If tissue sampling is used to troubleshoot problem areas, it is very helpful to sample not only the 'problem' areas but also the 'normal' growth areas in the same field for comparison purposes. It is encouraged to pull representative soil samples at the same time as plant samples.
  • What Not to Sample: Diseased or dead plant material; plant tissue damaged by insects and/or mechanical equipment; plant tissue which has been stressed by excesses of cold, heat, or moisture; seeds should NOT be sampled as they do not reflect the nutritional status of the whole plant.
Child planting a corn seedling at sunset.
Lush garden with various green plants.

Lawn & Garden Samples

For Clients who pull their own garden/lawn/food plot samples & require consulting/fertilizer recommendations.

LG2

Fertility, Macros & Micronutrients + Fertility Recommendations: pH, Buffer pH, Phosphorus, Potassium, Color Match Organic Matter, Calcium, Magnesium, CEC, % Base Saturations, Sulfur, Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Copper, and Boron. Recommendations are based on state university guidelines and email consultation with the client.

LG8

LG2 + LOI OM: Recommendations based on state university guidelines and email consultation with the client.

Soil test methods based on procedures described in North Central Regions Recommended Chemical Soil Test Procedures: https://extension2.missouri.edu/sb1001

Heavy Metals: Call (815) 692-2626 for additional information.

Specialty Soil Packages

Total Inorganic N
Soil Extractable Nitrate-N & Ammonium-N

PSNT & Soil Nitrate-N or Ammonium-N

Soybean Cyst Nematode
Cyst Count

Total N & Total C

Specialty Soil Tests: Olsen, Bray 1, Bray 2, Special Buffer, 2:1, Salt pH

Manure
AMMONIUM_N, ASH, CN_RATIO, K2O, MOISTURE, OM_LOI, ORGANIC_N, P2O5, PH, TOTAL_B, TOTAL_C, TOTAL_CA, TOTAL_CU, TOTAL_FE, TOTAL_MG, TOTAL_MN, TOTAL_N, TOTAL_NA, TOTAL_S, TOTAL_SOLIDS, TOTAL_ZN
Call for testing package options

Compost
Moisture/Total Solids, Total Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potash, Sulfur, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Zinc, pH, Ammoniacal Nitrogen, Nitrate Nitrogen, Organic Matter, Ash

Hand holding soil with nutrient data overlay.

Partnered Lab Analysis

Contact USI for details. These analyses are completed by a partnered lab. Shipping costs & turnaround times vary.

H1
Haney Soil Health Test

CN
Corn Nematode

L1 - Lagoon
Conductance Kjeldahl Nitrogen, Ammonical Nitrogen, Organic Nitrogen, pH, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur, Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium, Iron, Manganese, Copper, and Zinc

Hands holding soil and a young plant.