Soil Fertility Analysis

For this experiment, tests were conducted to find the levels of pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in our soil sample. The first test was for pH, which for our soil sample was found to be ~6.0, meaning the soil is slightly acidic. Next was the test for nitrogen, which resulted in a low amount of such being availible in the soil. After this was phosphorus, the amount present was found to be between 9 to 14, meaning only a marginal amount was availible to plant life. Lastly, potassium levels were measured and found to be moderately high, meaning the amount of potassium availible was close to excessive. The experiment looked as such while in progress:

After being shaked, the test tubes looked like this (note: this image is from directly after shaking and timing to let set began; results derive from color changes produced after the set amount of time indicated by each test in the kit). From left to right: pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium:

Based on these results, nitrogen and phosphorus were found to be the low or lacking nutrients in our soil sample, while the pH was more acidic but still moderately balanced and an excess of potassium was discovered. It is normal for wetland type of environments (the habitat our soil sample is from) to have low nitrogen levels, but a marginal amount of phosphorus is a concern as normally wetland soil is very good at holding phosphorus and this could hinder the soils true usefulness.

The ideal pH range for plants in the type of area our soil sample was collected from (a wetland) is around a 6.0, so for this to be the pH is ideal for plant growth. The plants there looked very healthy and have increased in abundance over the last few years, so the soil is correct for the types of foliage that need to grow. 

- Andrew