Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization
org
KALRO/Potato production Factsheet No. #
KALRO E-mimea Plant Clinic
STEPS IN SOIL TESTING
1. What is soil testing?
2. Objective of soil testing
3. Mineral elements tested
4. Steps in soil testing
www.kalro.
Soil testing is the processing of determining the
nutrient content and availability in a soil sample, soil
composition in terms of structure and texture,
microbial activities and knowing the soil pH for
purposes of planning
To measure soil nutrient status and lime requirements
in order to make fertilizer and lime recommendations
for profitable farming
Macro nutrients - Nitrogen ( N), Phosphorus ( P),
potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg),
sulfur (S). Micronutrients – Boron (Bo), copper (Cu),
iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo) and
zinc (Zn)
1. Collection of samples- Use clean sampling tools.
If you go to sample using dirty sampling tools,
they will contaminate the soil sample, hence
during soil analysis, the results will not reflect the
true status of the soil.
o Maintain consistent depth –
recommended depth for sampling is 15cm
(6 inches) and 30cm (12 inches). It is
advisable that one maintains the sampling
depth for accuracy of the analysis which
will influence the fertilizer
recommendations. It is also advised to
collect samples at similar times of the
year.
2. Preparing for analysis: Collect enough cores of
sample that will form representative sample of
the area. It is advised that 15 to 20 cores would
be sufficient
o Mix cores thoroughly so that the soil is
evenly constituted. After mixing evenly,
weigh 500g of the sample, allow to dry
under the shade to drain off excess water
and package. Label the package well and

Mandate Centre for Potato Research:
Reference Links – book, journal paper,
magazine, brochure, bulletin, fact sheet,
web etc.
KALRO E-mimi website
Crop Expert (s) Name :
Contact Details
deliver to soil laboratories within 24-48
hours
3. Chemical and physical analysis – done using
either spectrophotometry of flame photometer
4. Interpretation of soil analysis - The use of soil
analysis as a fertilizer recommendation method is
based on the existence of a functional
relationship between the amount of nutrient
extracted from the soil by chemical methods and
crop yield.
(Mangale et al., 2016; Birchmier, 2013;
Fagaria and Baligar, 2005)
Reference
1. Nesbert Mangale., Anne Muriuki., Angela N.
Kathuku-Gitonga., Catherine N. Kibunja., James
K. Mutegi., Anthony O. Esilaba., Fredrick. O.
Ayuke., Simon N. Nguluu., Esther W.
Gikonyo.(2016). Field and Laboratory Research
Manual for Integrated Soil Fertility Management
In Kenya. Kenya Soil Health Consortium
2. Birchmier Kacey. (2013). 4 steps to soil testing.
Successful farming.
https://www.agriculture.com/crops
3. Mallarino A.P (2005) Testing of soils.
Encyclopaedia of soils in the Environment.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-
planetary-sciences/soil-testing
4. Fagaria, N.K and Baligar, V.C (2005) Nutrient
availability. Encyclopaedia of Soils in the
environment.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-
planetary-sciences/soil-testing
KALRO Tigoni
(http://www.kalro.org)
J. Oyoo, P. Pwaipwai, M. Nyongesa,
Kalro.tigoni@kalro.org