Other testing

A range of other analyses are also carried out at APAL to complement the main soil and plant tissue testing service. These include tests on:

Fertiliser, Manure & Compost

This test includes the following nutrient analysis:

Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, pH, Salinity EC, Boron, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Manganese, Sodium, Phosphorus, Sulphur, Zinc, Molybdenum, Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio, Organic Matter and Total Carbon (from Organic Matter), Chloride & Moisture Content.

The associated report examines how the test sample compares with the range of allowable nutrient levels as set down by International Compost Standards, Standards Australia, the Australian National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC) and the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA) standards. The latter applies where organic standards are required.

Liquid Fertilisers and Composts

Analysis is similar to that for solid Fertilisers and Composts except that Carbon and Organic Matter plus the Carbon:Nitrogen ratio are not measured. Reporting is similar to that for the solid forms.

Soil Amendments

Lime, Gypsum & Dolomite are analysed for their Calcium, Magnesium and Sulphur content. Additional parameters include % purity, Total Neutralising Value (TNV) and Effective Neutralising Value (ENV). This process includes sieving the sample to determine the fineness of grind which directly affects the TNV and ENV.

The report includes comments comparing the sample to the desired mineral content and test parameters for the various industry accepted grades for soil amendments.

Heavy Metals in Soil

Analysis includes: Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Boron, Cadmium, Cobalt, Chromium, Copper, Manganese, Nickel, Molybdenum, Lead, Selenium, Tin, Vanadium, Zinc and Mercury (needs to be specified).

These metals are generally accepted as potential contaminants of soil and produce that can impact human and animal health if present in excess quantities.

The associated report examines how the test sample compares with the range of allowable nutrient levels as set down by Standards Australia, the Australian National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC) and the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA) standards. The latter applies where organic standards are required.

Pesticide Residues

The test sample is analysed for specific pesticides in either the Organo-Chlorine (OC) or Organo-Phosphate (OP) categories. These include:

Organo-Chlorines

Aldrin, Alpha – BHC, Alpha – Endosulphan Beta – BHC, Beta – Endosulphan, Chlordane (a, g, oxy-Chlordane), DDD, DDT, Delta – BHC, Dieldrin, Endosulphan Sulphate, Endrin, Endrin Aldehyde, Heptachlor, Heptachlorepoxide, Hexachlorobenzene, Lindane (gamma BHC), Mehtoxychlor.


Organo-Phosphates

Chlorpyrifos, Chlorpyrifos Methyl, Diazinon, Ethion, Fenitrothion, Fenthion, Malathion, Parathion, Parathion Methyl, Ronnel.

Similar to heavy metals, these pesticides are generally accepted as potential contaminants of soil and produce that can impact human and animal health if present in excess quantities.

The associated report examines how the test sample compares with the range of allowable nutrient levels as set down by Standards Australia, the Australian National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC) and the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA) standards. The latter applies where organic standards are required.


Water for Irrigation and Livestock use

Analysis includes the following parameters: Electrical Conductivity (Ec), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Phosphorus, Sulphur, Boron, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Nitrate and Nitrite.

Analysis for the presence of heavy metals is also performed on request.

The associated interpretive report compares the test sample to those levels recommended by the (US) National Research Council, the (Australian) National Academy of Sciences and the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA) standards. The latter applies where organic standards are required.

Further information