 |  Which soil test is right for me? | Comparing different soil health tests There are many soil tests on the market so it can be difficult for farmers to ascertain whether or not they’re choosing the right one. The truth is, there are pros and cons to every soil test. Therefore, it boils down to finding which ones align best with your farming goals and which are easily and readily available to you without needing to stretch your resources too much. Since microBIOMETER® is a relatively new soil test on the market, questions are often raised on how this test compares to other commonly used soil indicators such as the Haney Soil Test and PLFA test. While all three are soil biological health tests, their methodologies are very different and the tests measure different parameters. ▪ The microBIOMETER® is an on-site soil test that measures the microbial biomass and fungal to bacterial ratio of living and dormant bacteria and fungi. Test prices range from $13.50/sample to $6.75/sample with results available in about 25 minutes.
▪ The Haney Soil Test is a lab test that focuses on assessing a variety of soil parameters such as pH, microbial biomass, water extractable organic carbon and nitrogen, soil respiration, and inorganic plant available nutrients such as NPK. Generally, this lab test costs about $50/sample and takes about 3-4 weeks to receive results.
▪ The PLFA Soil Test is a lab-based technique that analyzes phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA), which are found in the cell membranes of living organisms, to determine an estimation of living microbial biomass, fungal to bacterial ratio, and to identify the general presence or absence of microbial functional groups in bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. This testing process takes a few days to complete and generally costs about $60/sample depending on the lab.
| ▪ | The microBIOMETER® is an on-site soil test that measures the microbial biomass and fungal to bacterial ratio of living and dormant bacteria and fungi. Test prices range from $13.50/sample to $6.75/sample with results available in about 25 minutes. | | ▪ | The Haney Soil Test is a lab test that focuses on assessing a variety of soil parameters such as pH, microbial biomass, water extractable organic carbon and nitrogen, soil respiration, and inorganic plant available nutrients such as NPK. Generally, this lab test costs about $50/sample and takes about 3-4 weeks to receive results. | | ▪ | The PLFA Soil Test is a lab-based technique that analyzes phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA), which are found in the cell membranes of living organisms, to determine an estimation of living microbial biomass, fungal to bacterial ratio, and to identify the general presence or absence of microbial functional groups in bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. This testing process takes a few days to complete and generally costs about $60/sample depending on the lab. | Click here to learn more about these soil tests and to see the pros and cons of each testing method. | YOUTHTOPIA We were recently introduced to YOUTHTOPIA, an organization that focuses on youth empowerment, by our good friends at Save Soil. The microBIOMETER® soil testing kit is now included in the YOUTHTOPIA showroom. When guests visit, they are educated on how the device works and how it can be used to measure soil health. The showroom contains displays from more than 20 of YOUTHTOPIA's sustainable business partners and we are honored to be one of them! We look forward to future collaborations with this ground-breaking organization and supporting the important work they are doing with young people. YOUTHTOPIA is a “go-to” HQ for young people and it’s all about youth empowerment through short and meaningful peer to peer programs and providing them the tools they need to be changemakers. These programs, available both online and off, are created by the frontline young changemakers in YOUTHTOPIA’s unique network of Circle of Youth members (250 changemakers globally in 40 countries). For more information, please visit their website YOUTHTOPIA World and learning platform YOUTHTOPIA Education. They can also be found on Instagram. | International Distributors While international customers can place an order directly from our online store, for your purchasing convenience, we have distributors handling the following countries: Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, New Zealand, Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Chile, Ecuador, and Uruguay. Click here for details! If you are interested in distributing microBIOMETER® soil testing kits internationally or domestically, please contact us. | | |
