Fee Schedule
Effective January 1, 2023
Soil Analysis1 |
$10 |
Soil Analysis + Organic matter via LOI2 |
$12 |
Routine Plant Analysis (without total N)3 |
$15 |
Routine Plant Analysis (with total N)4 |
$25 |
Mechanical Texture5 |
$20 |
Researcher discounts offered for samples that are pre-ground/sieved (10-mesh for soil, 20-mesh for plant tissue)
Soil Analysis1 |
$10 Ground: $8 |
Soil OM (total C/N via combustion) 4 |
$10 Ground: $8 |
Plant Analysis (without total N)3 |
$15 Ground: $12 |
Plant Total N via combustion (N only)4 |
$10 Ground: $8 |
Plant Analysis (all elements offered)3,4 |
$25 Ground $20 |
Cost for other analysis available upon request.
1Soil analysis includes pH, lime recommendation, phosphorous (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and sodium (Na). Fertilizer recommendations are customized to selected crop codes. Total soluble salts (TSS) are reported for all horticultural samples.
2Organic matter determined via LOI = loss on ignition.
3Plant tissue analysis includes phosphorous (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), sulfur (S), and boron (B).
4Total nitrogen and/or total carbon determined via combustion with an Elementar Vario Max Cube.
5Sodium hexametaphosphate is used to separate sand, silt, and clay fractions of soil samples, which are then evaluated with the hydrometer method.
Publications
News
Early fall is one of the best times to test your soil. A soil test can tell you if your lawn or garden needs critical nutrients and how much. This way, your plants and your wallet will stay healthy. You won’t waste your money applying fertilizer or lime that your plants don’t need.
Sweet potato growers in Mississippi can get free nematode testing of soil samples they send to Mississippi State University from now until Dec. 31, 2024. The samples can be submitted in nematode bags available at local county MSU Extension Service offices; samples are also accepted in quart-sized, sealed plastic bags.
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!
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