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Questions that interest you

  • HOW TO SEND SOIL AND PLANT SAMPLES TO US IN THE LABORATORY?

    You can send the sampled soil and plant samples to our laboratory by any courier convenient for you, which is in your locality. Recipient: Agrotest Analytical Laboratory, Stolychne Shosse 100, Kyiv.

  • WHERE TO SEE EXAMPLES OF RESULTS

    Example of the results of soil analysis - see here

    Example of plant analysis results - see here

    Example of analysis results for the service "precision farming" - see here

  • WHAT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS REQUIRED TO RECEIVE RECOMMENDATIONS?

    For a standard laboratory analysis, you need to know the planned yield of three different crops (if you do not clearly understand the crop to be grown next season) or one crop with three different yield options (if the crop is clear but the grower wants to compare costs for each planned yield). Any additional information will also be useful, such as information on the presence or absence of irrigation, rainfall in the region where the fields are located, last year's predecessor crops and their yields, and more.

  • WHAT SHOULD I DO IF THE PLANTS IN ONE AREA OF MY FIELD LOOK GREEN AND HEALTHY, BUT IN ANOTHER?

    For comparative analysis, we recommend that plant samples be taken from each of these sites. It is also useful to include in the comments all information about management practices in these areas (if there were any differences). After harvesting, soil samples are also recommended to be taken separately from each plot.

  • DO I HAVE TO PAY SEPARATELY FOR RECOMMENDATIONS?

    No, because the fee for recommendations is included in the total cost of conducting a full comprehensive agrochemical analysis.

  • IS IT POSSIBLE TO DOWNLOAD THE SOIL TEST RESULTS FOR ACCURATE AGRICULTURE TO THE CLIENT'S SOFTWARE

    Yes! At the client's request, Agrotest Analytical Laboratory can give the results of soil analysis for precision farming in many well-known modern formats used by all modern manufacturers of precision farming equipment.

  • WHAT IS THE CONCENTRATION OF NITRATES IN MY FIELD? IS IT POSSIBLE TO UNDERSTAND IT?

    Nitrate concentrations in soil are influenced by many factors, including soil temperature, soil conditions (physical and chemical), and production management methods such as irrigation and nitrogen fertilization. Nitrate levels can vary even within a single field. If there is a suspicion of potential problems with the amount of nitrates in the soil, we recommend that you check this with a nitrate test that is included in any of the packages offered by our laboratory as part of agrochemical soil analysis.

  • FERTILIZER RECOMMENDATIONS - WHY DO WE NEED THEM?

    It is the fertilizer guidelines that help growers to clearly understand the amount of fertilizer they need to apply based on the availability of nutrients in the soil, as well as the crop and its expected yield.

  • IS IT POSSIBLE TO CHECK SOME PARAMETERS AFTER GETTING RESULTS

    Yes, we keep all the samples for a while. Please review your results and call the lab if you have additional questions.

  • THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE INTERPRETATION OF SOIL ANALYSIS RESULTS - WHAT TO DO IN SUCH A CASE?

    We are always happy to receive your calls and emails to help you interpret your results! Also on our website (agrotest.com) you can find a variety of additional materials that can help you understand your results.

  • DO ALL FERTILIZERS ARE CREATED AND WORK THE SAME?

    The most significant difference in fertilizers is the form of nitrogen present in each fertilizer. Depending on these forms of nitrogen, the fertilizer may contain all the nitrogen only in the form of compounds from which nitrogen will be released slowly over time. This allows you to provide nitrogen to the plant throughout the growing season. Other fertilizers contain some of the nitrogen already available, as well as some of the nitrogen that will be available over time. These forms of slow release of nitrogen also minimize its potential losses.

  • I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE NUMBERS (FORMULA) ON THE FERTILIZER'S PACKAGE MEAN?

    The numbers (or fertilizer formula) on the package are the percentages of nutrients present in each specific fertilizer (concentrations of elements guaranteed by the manufacturer of these fertilizers). Most often, three fertilizers are indicated on each of the fertilizers (through a hyphen or a colon): the first is the nitrogen content (N), the second is the phosphorus content (as P2O5), and the third is the potassium content (as K2O). These elements are considered essential nutrients and are called macronutrients, because the needs of plants in these three elements are much higher than in other essential nutrients. For example, if the first number (nitrogen content) in the package is 25%, it means that 100 kg of fertilizer contains 25 kg of nitrogen. Also in addition to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, fertilizers may contain other nutrients such as sulfur, magnesium or trace elements.

  • IS IT NECESSARY TO LIME, IF IN MY OPINION I HAVE ACIDIC SOIL

    The following question arises: what factors indicate that the soil is actually acidic? This fact can be confirmed (or refuted) only by studying the soil itself and give a clear answer: whether you really need to make lime or not. Do not think that if for some of your reasons the plants do not feel well and are considered depressed, then the area must be limed! In fact, thoughtless application of lime can only cause more problems! Be sure to check the soil first, and then (if you really need to) apply lime.

  • WHEN IS THE BEST TO BRING LIME TO THE SOIL?


    Lime application is recommended when soil testing shows that the soil pH is acidic or strongly acidic and the crop being grown is not tolerant to this pH value. But keep in mind that lime is a poorly soluble compound, so it should be applied after harvest or before sowing. Also, do not forget about the washing regime - this will make it easier for lime to penetrate into the soil.

  • PROBLEMS RELATED TO FERTILIZATION (FERTILIZER SURPLUS) IN GARDENS

    A big problem for gardens and garden soils is the issue of fertilization (the issue of a large surplus of mineral and organic fertilizers). This is due to the intensive and frequent application of compost, organic fertilizers and too much mineral fertilizers. In such cases, phosphorus and potassium levels will rise to extremely high levels, which can become a big problem over time (as paradoxical as it may sound). Some potash fertilizers contain small amounts of sodium, which is usually not a problem, but with constant intensive use of such fertilizers, the level of sodium in the soil can rise to undesirably high concentrations. Also, in some cases, the normal release of nitrogen from organic fertilizers (such as compost) may be suspended. Organic fertilizers and synthetic commercial fertilizers often contain both organic nitrogen and readily available forms of nitrogen. Excessively available nitrogen can damage the roots of young plants or seedlings, and can lead to disease and reduced fruit set.

    Therefore, it is very important not to fertilize the gardens with too high concentrations of nutrients, especially nitrogen. Nitrogen fertilizers are the best solution, especially in the early stages. Also, to increase the chances of a better harvest, you should not use nitrogen, which is immediately available, before tying the fruit.

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