Soil Testing
Click the “Soil Testing Online Payment” link located in the right column.
The Mississippi State Soil Testing Lab is an Extension unit of the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. The mission of the Soil Testing Lab is to provide accurate analytical services in a timely manner. With the support of research conducted by MSU faculty members, the Soil Testing Lab provides unbiased nutrient management recommendations. Our lab works closely with County Extension Agents to provide outreach to all Mississippi landowners concerned with improving soil productivity.
The Soil Testing Lab provides the following services:
Soil Test
The soil test represents a vital piece of Mississippi State Extension outreach. If you are interested in improving soil fertility for farming, gardening, lawns or wildlife food plots you should get a soil test! Our analysis includes pH, lime recommendation, phosphorous (P), potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), and Sodium. Total soluble salts (TSS) are reported for all horticultural samples.
Video by Jonathan Parrish
Plant Tissue Analysis
Plant tissue analysis provides a more accurate estimation of essential nutrient concentrations vs. soil analysis. Analysis includes total nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), and Boron (B). Sulfur (S) is available upon request.
Texture Analysis
Sodium hexametaphosphate is used to separate sand, silt, and clay fractions of soil samples which are then evaluated with the hydrometer method.
Total Carbon/Total Nitrogen
Total carbon and nitrogen are analyzed via combustion using an Elementar Vario Max Cube.
Don’t see a service you need?
For plant diseases/nematodes, please see the Plant Disease and Nematode Diagnostic Services website.
For fertilizer, pesticide, or forage analysis, please see the Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory website.
Publications
News
Having healthy soil in your garden results in healthy plants. Whether you’re planting vegetables, flowers, grass, trees, shrubs, or anything in between, a soil sample is the first thing to check off the list. Gathering a soil sample from your landscape and having it tested by MSU Extension’s Soil Testing Lab should be the initial step in any gardening adventure. Plus, it’s pretty easy to do!
Autumn is officially here! It’s not hard to love this time of year. Temperatures are cooling, leaves are changing, and there will be more branches than foliage soon. It’s hard not to love this time of year! As we close out this calendar year, it’s easy to convince yourself there’s not much to do in the yard. Take a break, but also take time to check off these tasks
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Far too often in Mississippi, soil management after major weather events must be considered, but landowners affected by Hurricane Ida now have a guide on how to approach this task.
“Soil Management After Hurricane Ida” is available online on the Mississippi Crop Situation blog at https://www.mississippi-crops.com/2021/09/02/soil-management-after-hurricane-ida/.
Mississippi agricultural producers and landowners who are interested in carbon sequestration can test their soil’s carbon content through the Mississippi State University Extension Service.
Video by Michaela Parker
We’ve finally made it to fall! The temperatures are dropping, the leaves are changing colors, and I can’t wait to purchase pumpkins and mums for my front porch!
If you’re trying to stay on top of what tasks you should be doing in your yard and garden, check out these four for the month of October.
Success Stories
Brian Andrus irrigated exactly zero times on his Sunflower County farm in 2021. He didn’t even turn on his well.
4-H Debuts New Curriculum · Extension Develops Workforce · La-Z-Boy Donates Fabric · Stars Focus On Sustainability · Extension Directs Herbicide Training · Youth Discover Dairy Science · Soil Lab Welcomes New Manager
