Knowledgebase

Graph (soil test) #867826

Asked May 09, 2024, 10:14 PM EDT

I don’t understand my graph. Are the 3 lines shown associated with the top 3 nutrients listed? And if so, why are the other nutrients not on the graph. What’s optimal ppm levels of P and K for my lawn soil?

Genesee County Michigan

Expert Response

Good evening and thank you for reaching out. Would it be possible for you to attach a photo of the chart? I suspect that might help the expert I will assign your question to.
Ask Extension Question Wrangler Pronouns: she/her/hers Find your local Extension office here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/county Find an expert in a specific topic here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/experts/experts-by-topic-area Find home gardening information here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/home_gardening/ Order a soil test kit here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/soil-testing-returns-through-msu-extension Mold questions? We don’t have an expert in mold, but we do have a few resources below or contact the  Michigan health department. Molds in the Home Indoor Air Quality May be Hazardous to Your Health   Mushroom questions? We can’t identify, but we do have these three resources to help you: Identifying  Morel  Poisonous MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg, Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples. The University resides on the land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw. Replied May 09, 2024, 10:16 PM EDT
Here’s a screenshot of the chart

image0.png
Sent from my iPhone

On May 9, 2024, at 10:16 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied May 10, 2024, 7:06 AM EDT

Tim - As you can see, the MSU soil test uses a bar graph for the macronutrients of Phosphorous, Potassium and Magnesium.  Calcium on the other hand is measured as parts per million (ppm).  Because it can be tied up in soil particles and organic matter, not all of the Calcium is available to the plant so that is more challenging to indicate on a graph. Click on the link below for more information on the soil test and nutrient levels.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/understanding_the_msu_soil_test_report_e0015#:~:text=Potassium%3A%20(K)%20test%20of,to%20150%20ppm%20is%20desired.

Hope that helps.


Diane - MSU Advanced Extension Master Gardener Replied May 13, 2024, 1:18 PM EDT

Loading ...