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Soil, Forage & Water Testing Laboratory

About us

The Soil, Forage and Water Testing Lab at Auburn University serves the farming communities of Alabama through testing and analysis of a variety of agricultural materials, including soil, water, plant tissue, poultry litter, forages and feeds. This research testing laboratory also serves the citizens of Alabama by providing routine testing, commercial testing, and analysis of soil and tissue samples from lawns and gardens, as well as water from households, wells and other water resources.

We also offer online calculators for use in determining the required amounts of chemical fertilizer, lime and organic fertilizer for your field, lawn or garden.

Our lab is located in the ALFA Building on South Donahue Dr. on the Auburn University campus.

How to Take a Proper Soil Sample

Learn about correct soil sampling in the video below:

Analysis & Testing Services

New Testing & Analysis Forms Available!

Routine Soil Analysis

Soil samples are analyzed for pH, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. A soil test report detailing soil test values, ratings and, lime and fertilizer recommendations is sent to the customer by e-mail and/or regular mail within 3-7 days after the samples are received by the lab by e-mail and/or regular mail.
 

Forage & Feed Analysis

Forage and feed samples are routinely analyzed for percent moisture, crude protein, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, nitrate-N, ash, pH, crude fat, lignin, total digestible nutrients (TDN), and elemental contents (Ca, K, Mg, P, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, etc.,) Relative forage quality (RFQ) will be provided for known common grass species when the analysis are done using near infrared reflectance (NIR). The turnaround time is 2-4 weeks. The report includes name and e-mail of the Regional Extension agent or specialist for Animal Science and Forages.

 

Plant Tissue Nutrient Analysis

Plant and leaf tissues are often analyzed by the lab to detect and diagnose various nutrient deficiencies during the growing season. For a more complete plant diagnostic regimen that includes diseases, insects and other maladies, samples can be sent directly to the AU Plant Diagnostic Lab.

 

Water Analysis

Water samples from irrigation systems, wells, and ponds are analyzed for NO3-N, calcium, potassium, pH, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, iron, manganese, zinc, boron, molybdenum, aluminum, cobalt, chromium, lead, sodium and soluble salts Limited interpretation of the test results will be provided.

*Note – The laboratory is not EPA certified for drinking water analysis.

Chicken Litter Analysis

Chicken litter can be analyzed by sending the samples to the lab. Please allow 2-4 weeks for sample turnaround.

Other Testing & Analysis

Speciality analyses (i.e., organic matter %) and research sample analyses can be requested. Please email a completed form (PDF) below to: soillab@auburn.edu.

Publications

Home Soil Testing: Taking a Sample

Every square foot of soil can be different. Soil acidity and nutrients vary across the surface of the soil and with the depth of the soil.

Read Home Soil Testing: Taking a Sample

Home Soil Testing: Using The Soil Test Report

The Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory report includes: your intended crop(s), the soil group your sample belongs to, soil pH, results/extractable nutrients, nutrient rating, lime and fertilizer recommendations, as well as comments specific to your crop. Be able to interpret your soil sample test results and recommendations with clear, detailed figures.

Read Home Soil Testing: Using The Soil Test Report

Collecting Forage Samples for Laboratory Analysis

With any type of forage sample, the goal is to collect a representative sample. The following provides some guidelines.

Read Collecting Forage Samples for Laboratory Analysis 

The Basis of Soil Testing in Alabama

Most soils in Alabama must be fertilized for optimum production. Unfertilized soils are naturally low in plant nutrients because the parent materials from which they were formed were low in phosphorus (P), and many were low or medium in potassium (K).

Read The Basis of Soil Testing in Alabama

Nutrient Content & Composition of Poultry Litter

Poultry litter can be a nutritionally rich fertilizer for forages and row crops. But not all litter is created equal. Learn the benefits of litter and the factors that cause variations in nutrient content. 

Read Nutrient Content & Composition of Poultry Litter

Nutrient Recommendations for Alabama Crops

The following document contains, data tables, interpretation of the Soil Test and recommendations by crop based on soil test rating (low, medium, high, etc.) for P and K.

Read Nutrient Recommendations for Alabama Crops

Nutrient Removal by Alabama Crops

Nutrient removal should be an important consideration in overall soil fertility management for Alabama farmers. However, fertilizing based solely on nutrient removal could lead to nutrient deficiencies or result in overuse  of some fertilizer nutrients. The behavior of each nutrient, soil properties, and crops to be grown must also be considered.

Read Nutrient Removal by Alabama Crops

Calculators

Chemical Fertilizer Calculator

Disclaimer: While the information generated from this site is believed to be accurate, any actions taken based upon the results are the sole responsibility of the user.

This calculator computes ounce, pound or ton of a given fertilizer required per unit area based on one (match) fertilizer at a time. The three numbers prominently displayed on fertilizer labels are N-P-K that stand for percentages of nitrogen (N), phoshate (P2O5), and potash (K2O).

 

  1. Enter your fertilizer recommendation for N-P-K as provided from AU Soil Testing lab (usually in lbs/acre).
  2. Select a fertilizer from the dropdown menu.
  3. If your choice is not in the menu, select User Defined and enter your fertilizer grade.
  4. Select Your Application Rate (ton/A, lbs/A, lbs/1000 square feet, etc.) from the dropdown menu.
  5. If you know your exact area, select “lbs/any square feet” and enter your total area by clicking on “Type your square feet”.
  6. Select Match by clicking in the radio icon and then click Calculate.
  7. The Output will indicate the amount of fertilizer needed for the selected (Match) and the amount of deficit or surplus for the unmatched two.
  8. You can print a hardcopy by clicking on Print, or click on Reset to start over.
  9. You may choose a single nutrient source fertilizer to complete your deficit.

Lime Calculator

This Lime Calculator computes pounds of an agricultural limestone (aglime) required per unit area.

Here is how it works:

 

  1. Enter your recommendation (tons/A) in the space next to Lime Recommendation.
  2. Select your Application Rate from the menu or select “lbs/any square feet” and enter your area (in square feet) without units.
  3. Click on Calculate.
  4. The Output will indicate the amount of lime needed that is equal to your recommendation.
  5. Click on Print if you desire a hardcopy or Click on Reset to start over.
  6. Please consult your county agent for appropriate methods and practicality of applying lime for your specific condition.

Organic Fertilizer Calculator

This calculator computes pounds or tons of a given organic fertilizer required per unit area based on one nutrient of the material at a time. The recommendation rates of N-P-K values that stand for pounds per acre of nitrogen (N), phoshate (P2O5) and potash (K2O), and organic fertilizer analysis (lbs/ton)are needed to use the calculator.

Here is how it works:

  1. Enter your fertilizer recommendation for N-P-K as provided from AU Soil Testing lab in the space next to Recommendation Rates (lbs/acre).
  2. Locate your organic fertilizer in the organure dropdown menu and select.
  3. If your organic fertilizer is NOT in the list, select User Defined from the list and enter the Analysis values (lbs/ton).
  4. Select User Application Rate (ton/acre, lbs/acre, lbs/1000 sq ft, etc.) from the dropdown menu.
  5. If your area is different, select “lbs/any square feet” and enter your total area number (in square feet) by clicking on “Enter your square feet “.
  6. Click in the radio icon to select your Match fertilizer and then click Calculate.
  7. The Output will indicate the amount of organure fertilizer needed for the selected (Match) and the amount of deficit or surplus for the unmatched two in lbs/acre.
  8. You can print a hardcopy by clicking on Print or click on Reset to start over.

Now Available: AU Soil Test Kit

Auburn Soil Sample Bag being filled with soil to test by Soilkit
Auburn University branded Soil Test Kit by Soilkit for Lawn, Garden, Wildlife Plot Sample Collection and testing

Auburn Soil Test Kit

The College of Agriculture at Auburn University partnered with AgriTech Corp. on an Auburn-branded SoilKit to now deliver digital, easy-to-understand soil test results to homeowners, landscapers and municipalities.

Contact Us

Soil, Forage, & Water Testing Laboratory
ALFA Building
961 S. Donahue Drive
Auburn University, AL 36849-5411

Email soillab@auburn.edu
Phone (334) 844-3958
Fax (334) 844-4001

On the campus map
On Google Maps

soil-plant-program-NAPT-Participating-Laboratory-2024
Q

Chemical Fertilizer Calculator

N P2O5 K2O Reccommendation
Recommendation
Fertilizer (%): Your Application Rate
Grade:
Match:

 
 

Output

Q

Organic Fertilizer Calculator

N P2O5 K2O Rec. Unit
Recommendation Rate: lbs/acre
Organure:   
Analysis (lbs/tons):
User Application Rate:   
   
Match:

 
 

Output