Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory, MU Extension

Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory
573-882-0623

A well taken soil sample results in appropriate recommended rates of fertilizer and limestone.

The Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory analyze about 25,000 to 35,000 field crop (farm) soil samples, 5,000 to 7,000 horticultural crop (lawn and garden) soil samples and 1,000 commercial fruits vegetables and turf soil samples each year.

On this site

About the laboratory
Directions to the laboratory
Missouri Soil Testing Association certified labs
Sample analysis information forms
Services for precision agriculture
Test procedures
Tests and fees

Soil tips

Don't always blame the dirt: Diagnosing plant health problems
Fertilizer efficiency -- what's the limit
Fertilizing acid loving landscape plants
Fertilizing gardens and lawns
Flooded fields and nitrogen status (.pdf)
How to select good top soil for lawns and gardens
Interpreting Manure Test Report
Interpreting your soil test results for lawns and gardens
Potential For Fall-Applied Nitrogen Losses Not Eliminated By Recent Cold Snap
Stalk Nitrate-N Test - A Diagnostic Tool for Evaluating Nitrogen Management Practices in Corn
Take the guesswork out of growing healthy lawns, gardens with a soil test
Use of plant analysis as a diagnostic tool

Related MU Extension publications

EQ215, Laboratory Analysis of Manure
EQ453, Precision Agriculture: Remote Sensing and Ground Truthing
G4620, Bermudagrass
G9112, Interpreting Missouri Soil Test Reports
G9215, Soil Sampling Pastures
G9217, Soil Sampling Hayfields and Row Crops
G6954, Soil Testing for Lawns
G9177, Preplant Nitrogen Test for Adjusting Corn Nitrogen Recommendations
MP733, Lawn and Garden Soil Test Interpretations and Fertilizer Recommendation Guide
SB1001, Recommended Chemical Soil Test Procedures for the North Central Region
WQ450, Precision Agriculture: An Introduction
WQ451, Precision Agriculture: Yield Monitors
WQ452, Precision Agriculture: Global Positioning System (GPS)