Delaware Soil Testing Program
Providing accurate analyses and unbiased
interpretations to clients since 1947.
About The Soil Testing Program
The UD Soil Testing Program provides a variety of soil testing and educational support to farmers, homeowners and others engaged in soil management and land use. The program is offered as a public service of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences.
- Soil fertility test methods are designed for specific types of soils. The methods offered by our lab are appropriate for soils in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States – Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, District of Columbia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. If the location to be sampled is located outside of these states, please call before submitting samples or ordering kits to determine whether our tests will meet your needs.
- Nutrient recommendations provided are research-based and regionally appropriate.
- Additional analytical services for soils and other materials are available to meet the needs of researchers and other clientele both within and outside of the University community. Information on additional analytical services can be found on the General Program Information page or obtained by contacting the Program Office.
- The Soil Testing Program does not offer pesticide or herbicide testing at this time.
- Analyses are provided on a “Fee for Service” basis. A full listing of our current fee schedule can be found below.
As of 2024
Basic Soil Testing Packages for Agriculture and Landscape / Garden Uses
ID
Test Description
Cost/Sample
B1.
Commercial Agriculture Soil Test
Routine fertility test for commercial agriculture operations including row crops, vegetables, fruits, and forages for hay and pastures. Package includes soil pH, lime requirement, organic matter, Mehlich 3 extractable nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, B, S, Na and Al), Phosphorus Saturation Ratio and recommendations.
$18.00
B2.
Commercial Landscaper Soil Test
Routine fertility test for commercial landscapers and lawn care companies. Package includes soil pH, lime requirement, organic matter, Mehlich 3 extractable nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, B, S, Na and Al), Phosphorus Saturation Ratio and recommendations
$18.00
B3.
Home Lawn and Garden Soil Test – Includes Lead Screen
Routine fertility test for the needs of the homeowner – suitable for lawns, gardens, flower beds and the home/residential landscape. Package includes Soil pH, lime requirement, organic matter, Mehlich 3 extractable nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, B, S, Na and Al), Phosphorus Saturation Ratio, Estimated Total Lead and recommendations
$22.50
B4.
Soluble Salts Test
Suitable for use when problems due to excess salts or fertilizers are suspected
$10.00
B5.
Pre-sidedress Soil Nitrate Test for Corn
For commercial corn production. A 12 inch soil sample taken when corn is 12” tall. Includes nitrate-nitrogen measurement and sidedress N recommendation with 24 hour turn-around from the time sample is received by the laboratory.
$18.00
B6.
Soil Lead Screening Test
A screening test for use where soil contamination by lead is suspected. Includes instructions for collecting the sample, lead analysis, interpretation and general guidelines for managing the soil to minimize exposure to the lead present.
$20.00
B7.
Heavy Metal Screening Test
A screening test where there is concern that heavy metals may be present from previous use of a site. Includes As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu and Zn.
$45.00
B8.
Archeology Mehlich 3 – includes pH, A-E Buffer and LOI-OM – Data reported by spreadsheet only – no recommendations
$18.00
B9.
Rush Analysis
$30.00
Rush service may be arranged for Tests B1, B2, B3 and B4 up to a maximum set of 10 samples.
The charge is guarantees a 5 WORKING DAY turn-around time from the time the sample is received by the laboratory – e.g., a sample received on Monday will be completed the following Monday.
Official university holidays DO NOT count as working days.
Rush Analysis Continued…
Samples must be labelled “RUSH” on the outside of the bag or you must call the laboratory with the bag number(s) so that we know to watch for the sample(s).
You will be called when your sample arrives at the laboratory to let you know that the sample has been received and when it should be completed.
When your sample is completed, you will be notified. Reports can be sent to you by fax, e-mail, Fedex (for an additional charge) or regular mail. A hardcopy will be sent to you in all cases.
Individual Soil Tests for Characterization
ID
Test Description
Cost/Sample
SL-1.
Research Mehlich 3 Routine – includes pH, A-E Buffer and LOI-OM – Data reported by spreadsheet only – no recommendations
$18.00
SL-2.
Moisture Content and Percent Solids
$10.00
SL-3.
Bulk Density
$30.00
SL-4.
Water pH & Adams-Evans Buffer pH
$15.00
SL-5.
Organic Matter by Loss on Ignition
$15.00
SL-6.
Walkley-Black Organic Matter
$40.00
SL-7.
OM246 Protocol
$30.00
SL-8.
SL-9.
Mehlich 3 Extraction for P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, B, S, Na Al and PSR
Mehlich 1 Extraction for P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Fe
$18.00
$18.00
SL-10.
Water Extractable Soluble Carbon
$20.00
SL-11.
Acetic Acid Extraction for P and Si
$25.00
SL-12.
Nitrate- and Ammonium-N by 2M KCl Extraction
$18.00
SL-13.
Total Nitrogen by Combustion
$17.00
SL-14.
Total Carbon by Combustion
$17.00
SL-15.
Total Nitrogen and Total Carbon by Combustion
$26.00
SL-16.
Total Organic Carbon in Soil
$41.00
SL-17.
Soil Textural Analysis by the Boyoucos Hydrometer Method
(% Sand, % Silt and % Clay and USDA Textural Class)
$35.00
ID
Test Description
Cost/Sample
SL-18.
USDA Sand Classes
$45.00
SL-19.
Custom Sieve Analysis – Sieves to be Specified by the Client
$45.00
SL-20.
Cation Exchange Capacity at pH 7.0 Plus Exchangeable Cations
(Displacement by NH4+ Saturation; Includes Ca, K, Mg and Na)
$40.00
SL-21.
Exchangeable Acidity
$25.00
SL-22.
Microwave Digestion
$20.00
SL-23.
Autoblock Digestion
$20.00
SL-24.
ICP Analysis of Soil Digest for Routine Element Package
(P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, B, S, Na and Al)
$16.00
SL-25.
ICP Analysis of Soil Digest for Heavy Metal Element Package
(As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn)
$16.00
SL-26.
ICP Analysis of Soil Digest for 4 Elements or less
$16.00
Individual Plant Analysis Tests
ID
Test Description
Cost/Sample
PT-1.
Plant Total Nitrogen Analysis by Combustion
$17.00
PT-2.
Total Elemental Composition
Sample digestion and ICP analysis for P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, B, S, Na and Al
$26.00
PT-3.
Total Nitrogen and Total Elemental Composition
Total N by Combustion. Microwave digestion and ICP analysis for P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, B, S and Al
$30.00
PT-4.
Add Total C to PT-1 or PT-3
$9.00
PT-5.
Nitrate Reductase in Plant Tissue
$30.00
PT-6.
Plant Moisture Content
$10.00
PT-7.
Ashing of Plant Tissue @ 550°C
$8.00
PT-8.
Plant Grinding Fee
$2.00
PT-9.
Additional ICP Elements for PT-2 or PT-3
$16.00
Solution / Extract Analyses
ID
Test Description
Cost/Sample
SE-1.
Solution pH Only
$10.00
SE-2.
Solution EC Only
$10.00
SE-3.
Solution Nitrate- and Ammonium-N
$15.00
SE-4.
Solution Ortho-Phosphate-P
$15.00
SE-5.
ICP Analysis – Up to 4 Elements
ICP analysis for 1 to 3 elements – user choice
$16.00
SE-6.
ICP Elemental Package 1 – Routine Plant Nutrients
ICP analysis for P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, B, S, Na and Al
$16.00
SE-7.
ICP Elemental Package 2 – Heavy Metal Analytes
ICP analysis for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn
$16.00
SE-8.
TIC/TC/TOC Analysis
$14.00
SE-9.
TIC/TC/TOC/TNb or NPOC/TNb
$16.00
SE-10.
Persulfate digestion for Total N and Total P in liquid samples
$30.00
SE-11.
Microwave Digestion – Solutions
$20.00
SE-12.
Autoblock Digestion – Solutions
$20.00
SE-13.
Multiple Dilution Charge – when more than 1 dilution is needed
$1.00
Compost Testing Fees
ID
Test Description
Cost/Sample
C-1.
Basic Compost Analysis – includes C1, C2, C5, C7
$50.00
C-2.
Total N, Total C and C:N Ratio by Combustion
$25.00
C-3.
Compost pH & EC
$15.00
C-4.
Compost Organic Matter by Loss on Ignition
$15.00
C-5.
Nitrate- and Ammonium-N
$15.00
C-6.
Microwave Digestion of Compost
$20.00
C-7.
ICP Analysis of Digestate for Plant Nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, B, S, Na, Al) Requires C-6
$16.00
C-8.
ICP Analysis of Digestate for Basic Heavy Metals Screening (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) Can be added to C-1 or requires C-6
$16.00
C-9.
Moisture Content / Percent Solids Only (otherwise included in all other tests)
$10.00
Greenhouse Media and Hydroponic Solution Analyses
ID |
Test Description |
Cost/Sample |
GH-1. |
SME Media Analysis Package pH, EC, Saturated Media Extract Analysis for P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, B, S, Na, Al, NO3-N and NH4-N. |
$40.00 |
HS-1. |
Hydroponic Solution Analysis Package pH, EC, Saturated Media Extract Analysis for P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, B, S, Na, Al, NO3-N and NH4-N. |
$30.00 |
HS-2. |
Solution pH Only |
$10.00 |
HS-3. |
Solution EC Only |
$10.00 |
HS-4. |
Solution Nitrate- and Ammonium-N |
$15.00 |
HS-5. |
ICP Elemental Package 1 – Routine Plant Nutrients ICP analysis for P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, B, S, Na and Al |
$16.00 |
Why soil test?
Soil testing provides useful information to help people manage their land. A farmer or home gardener might have his/her soil tested to determine how much lime or fertilizer is needed to grow plants and/or avoid over-applying nutrient sources like manure. Parents might test the soil in their yard to see if hazardous amounts of lead or arsenic are present before installing a backyard playset for their children, or before beginning a new vegetable garden. Archeologists use soil testing to learn about past land use at historical sites. Scientists test soil to monitor the effects of new management practices on soil properties and environmental conditions.
Can't find what you are looking for?
Contact Karen Gartley at kgartley@udel.edu
Location
531 S College Ave, Newark, DE 19716-2170
Phone: 302-831-1392
Fax: 302-831-0605
Due to rising costs, Soil Testing Fees will increase effective August 12, 2024. This is the first increase since 2020. Thank you for your understanding.
We will also be adding a flat $5.00 shipping and handling fee to all orders for kits that are mailed out. This fee does not apply to kits picked up at our office, Delaware Cooperative Extension offices or other distribution points.