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:
APAL Analysis - Total mineral levels only
APAL can only test Total Nitrogen to a max level of 10%. This test includes the following mineral analysis:
Total Nitrogen (to <10%N), Boron, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Manganese, Sodium, Phosphorus, Sulphur, Zinc, Aluminium, Cobalt, Molybdenum & Moisture Content.
Commercial Compost Analysis
Composts and manures are tested to Australian Standard- AS4454
Total N (Dumas), Boron, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium,
Manganese, Sodium, Phosphorus, Sulphur, Zinc, pH, EC, Moisture Content,
Chloride, Total Organic Carbon , Carbon:Nitrogen Ratio,
Molybdenum, Nitrogen NO3 & NH4, %CaCO3 equiv. and Organic Matter (from Total Organic Carbon) .
An additional Pro Ag Consulting 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.
Analysis of soil for Total Carbon uses a catalysed high temperature combustion process (Dumas method). Total Inorganic Carbon (mainly from soil carbonates) is then measured and deducted from the Total Carbon results to give an accurate measurement of Total Organic Carbon.
To read more about the APAL method: click here.
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 APAL report includes comments comparing the sample to the desired mineral content and test parameters for the various industry accepted grades for soil amendments.
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 additional Pro Ag Consulting 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.
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 additional Pro Ag Consulting 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.
Further information
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