Analytical Testing

Knowing the health and quality of your soil and irrigation water is very important in being able to produce a healthy turfgrass. We are able to assist by providing accurate results with a fast turnaround to enable you to make informed decisions on what management inputs are actually required.

 

Turf Finder is able to offer the following testing through Australian Sports Turf Consultants (ASTC): 

 

  • pH and electrical conductivity (EC) soil testing;
  • pH and electrical conductivity (EC) water testing;
  • Soil microbiology testing; and
  • Organic matter testing (pricing is for 3 samples which are usually in 20 mm increments e.g. surface to 20 mm, 20 to 40 mm and 40 to 60 mm beneath the surface).
 

Test method and background:

  • pH and electrical conductivity (EC) soil testing:
    • Test method: Australian Standard 4419-2003: Soils for Landscaping and Garden Use (Appendix D using pH 1:5 water). 
    • Background: The pH level indicates how acid or alkaline your soil is. A pH level between 6 and 7 and is regarded as adequate for turf growth. Soil testing will identify what amendments will be required to assist with providing a suitable balance to restore turf health. Electrical conductivity (EC), a measurement unit of salinity within the soil (and water) which can effect turf growth and performance. 

 

  • pH and electrical conductivity (EC) water testing:
    • Test method: Measured directly using a WP-81 conductivity/TDS-pH meter.
    • Background: Refer to the above background information. High salts within the water source are particularly damaging to turfgrass foliage and roots. 

 

  • Soil microbiology testing:
    • Test method: microBIOMETER testing kit. 
    • Background: It allows you to estimate the soil microbes (microbial biomass) to determine your soil health. Microbes in the soil provide soil structure and form a symbiotic relationship with the plant through the roots. The health of your crop depends on a stable ecosystem of microbes in the soil. 

 

  • Organic matter testing:
    • Test method: Organic matter content is determined by loss on ignition (LOI) at 440°C after oven drying sample for 24 hrs at 105°C. 
    • Background: Organic matter testing through Loss on Ignition (LOI), is a method for analysing the content of organic matter minerals in the rootzone. The process is commonly requested by golf course superintendents, bowling greenkeepers and sports turf managers that grow turf within a sand profile and wish to identify the amount of organic matter present within the rootzone.  

 

  • Comprehensive soil nutritional testing:
    • Test method: Sufficiency Level of Available Nutrients (SLAN) method by Australasian Soil and Plant Analysis Council (ASPAC) accredited laboratory. 
    • Background: Testing includes pH (H2O), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Organic Matter, Macro nutrients N, P, K, S, Mg, Ca and Macro nutrients or elements Na, Fe, B, Al, Cl, Cu, B, Mn and Zn.  

 

  • Comprehensive leaf tissue nutritional testing:
    • Test method: Sufficiency Level of Available Nutrients (SLAN) method by Australasian Soil and Plant Analysis Council (ASPAC) accredited laboratory. 
    • Background: Testing includes Macro nutrients N, P, K, S, Mg, Ca and Macro nutrients or elements Na, Fe, B, Cu, B, Mn and Zn.  

 

  • Comprehensive water nutritional testing:
    • Test method: Testing conducted by Australasian Soil and Plant Analysis Council (ASPAC) accredited laboratory. 
    • Background: Testing includes pH (H2O), Electrical Conductivity (EC), N, P, K, S, Mg, Ca, Na, Fe, B, Cl, Cu, B, Mn and Zn.  

 

Pricing and payment:

Payment is to be made via credit card or PayPal using the PayPal 'Add to Cart' buttons below. Payment is to be made prior to the test results being provided. Test results will be returned via email. Prices are in Australian dollars and encompass testing and reporting, GST and PayPal charges.

Notes: When you press the 'Add to Cart' button the PayPal Shopping Cart will open in a new window. Should you wish to submit multiple samples, you can choose the quantity of samples on the Shopping Cart page; or if you wish to submit multiple different samples (e.g. soil and water), you can return to this page and then press the relevant 'Add to Cart' button. Multiple items will then be shown in your Checkout Cart. You can also press the 'View Cart' button which will take you directly to the PayPal checkout page for payment to be made. 

 

 
  • pH and EC soil testing

 

 $ 34.31
  • pH and EC water testing

 

 $ 34.31
  • Soil microbiology testing

 

 $ 34.31
  • Organic matter testing (3 samples)

  

 $ 170.20     
  • Comprehensive soil nutritional testing

  

 $ 170.20     
  • Comprehensive leaf tissue nutritional testing  

  

 $ 170.20     
  • Comprehensive water nutritional testing  

  

 $ 170.20     
   

All soil testing

  • The following is required for either 'soil pH & EC testing' and/or 'comprehensive soil nutritional testing'.
  • A minimum 500 grams of each soil sample is required for analysis.
  • Each sample should be placed into a sealable ziploc or plastic bag (provided by youself) which must not open during transport. It is best to double bag.
  • If sending multiple samples, each sample must be bagged separately.
  • Bags are to be clearly labelled with your name and the sample name using a permanent marker pen.
  • Refer to the adjacent 'Sample postage' tab for details on where the sample(s) are to be sent.

 

All water testing

  • The following is required for either 'water pH & EC testing' and/or 'comprehensive water nutritional testing'.
  • Minimum 200 ml water sample is required for analysis.
  • Collect water in a sealable CLEAN plastic bottle. Allow for an air gap.
  • Prior to collecting the water sample allow the tap to run for a short period of time. If a water sample is being collected from an irrigation system or bore, the sample should be run preferably for 30 minutes prior to the sample being collected.
  • The bottle should be labelled with your name and the sample name using a permanent marker pen. 
  • Refer to the adjacent 'Sample postage' tab for details on where the sample(s) are to be sent.

 

Soil microbiology testing

  • Minimum 200 gram representative soil sample is required for analysis.
  • Each sample should be placed into a sealable ziploc or plastic bag (provided by yourself) which must not open during transport. It is best to double bag.
  • If sending multiple samples, each sample must be bagged separately.
  • Bags are to be clearly labelled with your name and the sample name using a permanent marker pen.
  • Refer to the adjacent 'Sample postage' tab for details on where the sample(s) are to be sent.

 

Organic matter testing

  • With a tool/sampler/knife, remove a core/plug from the soil rootzone approximately 40 mm in diameter to at least 60 mm beneath the turf surface.
  • Cut the core/plug into 20 mm sections using a knife i.e. surface to 20 mm, 20 to 40 mm and 40 to 60 mm beneath the turf surface.
  • Each 20 mm section is to be placed into separate sealable sandwich bags and labelled accordingly i.e. location and sample depth.
  • Refer to the adjacent 'Sample Postage' tab for details on where the sample(s) are to be sent.

 

Leaf tissue nutritional testing

  • Plant tissue samples can also be taken by using scissors to remove the top 1/3 of the leaf. Using this method, sub-samples must be taken from at least 20 locations over the area and bulked together for analysis. A minimum of 200 grams wet weight of plant material is required.
  • It is important to take a representative sample and therefore any locations that are distinctly different (e.g. grass type, colour, density, moisture etc.) should be avoided.
  • Each sample should be placed into a strong paper bag and then into a sealable ziploc or plastic bag (provided by yourself) which must not open during transport. It is best to double bag.
  • If sending multiple samples, each sample must be bagged separately.
  • Bags are to be clearly labelled with your name and the sample name using a permanent marker pen.
  • Refer to the adjacent 'Sample Postage' tab for details on where the sample(s) are to be sent.

 

Please click on the SAMPLE POSTAGE tab above for details on how and where to post your sample(s).

Samples are to be collected, prepared and posted by you. Prepared samples as identified within the adjacent 'Sample Collection' tab should be placed into a regular or preferably an Express Australia Post (yellow) satchel and:

  • Contain a dry sheet of paper detailing the date, your full name, sample name(s), email address and phone number.
  • Be sent to the following postal address:

 

Turf Finder

PO Box 438

Acacia Ridge, QLD 4110.