Soil analysis from AGRONIX

Agrochemical soil analysis is most commonly carried out after harvest in autumn, or in spring before fertilizer application and primary tillage. These periods provide the most relevant data on soil nutrient levels and allow the results to be used for fertilization planning. Sampling can also be done in February–March, provided there is sufficient time between sample collection, receipt of laboratory results, and the start of spring field operations to make decisions and apply fertilizers. For field mapping and long-term fertility monitoring, it is important to collect samples at comparable times and using the same methodology, so that results from different years can be reliably compared.

The turnaround time for agrochemical soil analysis is 7 to 10 business days from the moment samples arrive at the laboratory.

Soil analysis results are provided as an official test report in electronic and/or printed format. For working with results digitally, data is also uploaded to your personal TerraDeSS cabinet, where it can be viewed, analyzed, and used to calculate plant nutrition plans.

Yes. Based on the agrochemical soil analysis results, we provide full advisory support, including fertilizer application recommendations and an agrochemical conclusion on the soil's condition and nutrient status. In addition to the laboratory results, data is uploaded to the personal TerraDeSS cabinet, where recommended fertilizer rates can be automatically calculated for a specific field, crop, and target yield.

The START, SMART, and PRO soil analysis packages differ in the range of indicators they cover and the depth of agrochemical assessment. The START package provides basic information on the main agrochemical indicators and is suitable for a general evaluation of field fertility. The SMART package covers a wider range of indicators, including micronutrients, providing a more detailed picture of soil nutrient availability. The PRO package is designed for more detailed nutrition planning. It is especially relevant when analysis is conducted close to the growing season — typically no more than one month before sowing. The extended set of indicators allows for a more accurate assessment of actual soil supply, particularly when adjusting nitrogen and sulfur nutrition. To choose the optimal package, it is important to consider the purpose of the analysis, the crop, the cultivation technology, and the timing of the analysis.

A full agrochemical soil analysis is generally not required every year. Most key fertility indicators and soil nutrient levels change relatively slowly, so significant shifts in nutrient availability typically occur over several years rather than within a single season. On average, agrochemical soil analysis results remain relevant for 4–5 years. For this reason, comprehensive testing is best carried out at such intervals, using the results to plan fertilization systems and monitor changes in soil fertility over time.

Agrochemical soil analysis provides an overall picture of the soil's agrochemical condition and fertility, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of a specific field: the availability of key nutrients, acidity, and other indicators that affect nutrient accessibility for plants. Based on the analysis results, it is possible to determine which fertilizers are needed, in what quantities, and for which crop — avoiding overpayment for excess applications or adding elements that are already sufficiently available in the soil. A properly conducted analysis also makes it possible to assess how effective the current plant nutrition system is relative to the actual soil condition, and to adjust it according to the crop's requirements and the target yield. In this way, soil analysis is not simply a set of laboratory indicators, but a tool for making informed fertilization decisions and using fertilizer budgets efficiently.

The number of soil samples depends on the field area, its uniformity, and the spatial variability of soil properties. The classical approach is to collect one composite (averaged) sample per area of up to 10 ha. If the field is sufficiently uniform — without pronounced variability or significant differences in soil conditions — the area represented by a single sample can in some cases be extended to 20 ha. At the same time, a simple rule applies: the more variable the field, the smaller the area that a single sample should represent. If the field contains different soil types or variants, significant differences in relief or yield, or other factors of spatial variability, the number of sampling zones must be increased. For precision agriculture and the creation of detailed soil nutrient maps, a denser sampling scheme is used — for example, a grid of 1 to 3 ha, or zone-based sampling according to productivity zones. These approaches allow spatial variability to be captured much more accurately and differentiated fertilizer recommendations to be generated.

There is no single answer for every field — the effectiveness of the method depends on the spatial variability of the soil and the purpose of the analysis. Soil is not a uniform medium, so dividing a field mechanically into a grid does not mean that every cell has the same agrochemical condition. With this approach, we are simply assigning a single analysis result to a particular geographic point. Zone-based sampling makes it possible to account for the real spatial variability of the field. Zones can be delineated using satellite data, relief maps, multi-year yield maps, and in particular NDVI at the peak of crop development. This allows zones with more uniform conditions to be formed for subsequent agrochemical analysis. Practical and scientific studies show that the grid method becomes sufficiently informative for detailed mapping primarily at a density of around 3 ha or less. Therefore, when choosing between grid sampling at 5 ha or more and zone-based sampling, our practical experience shows that zone-based sampling will deliver a more informative result in the majority of cases.