Cindy Herron & Diane Lafex
Soil Testing and Research Laboratory
8 Lee Rd 214
Marianna, AR 72360
Phone: 870-295-2851
Email: soiltest@uark.edu

• Agricultural Laboratory Proficiency
• Agricultural Publications
• Arkansas State Plant Board – Feed and Fertilizer Division
• Minnesota Department of Agriculture
• National Forage Testing Association
• SERA-IEG-6

Laboratory Methods and References

Routine analysis

Mehlich III (Index of nutrient availability for selected nutrients, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B)

Zhang, H., D.H. Hardy, R. Mylavarapu, and J. Wang. 2014. Mehlich-3. In: F.J. Sikora and K.P. Moore, editors, Soil test methods from the southeastern United States. Southern Coop. Ser. Bull. 419. p. 101-110. Univ. of Georgia http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/sera6/?PUB/MethodsManualFinalSERA6.pdf.

Soil pH (1:2 soil:water mixture)

Sikora, F.J., and D.E. Kissel. 2014. Soil pH. In: F.J. Sikora and K.P. Moore, editors, Soil test methods from the southeastern United States. Southern Coop. Ser. Bull. 419. p. 48-53. Univ of Georgia http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/sera6/?PUB/MethodsManualFinalSERA6.pdf

Non-routine procedures and prices

Soil Nitrate-N ($5.00 per sample) measured by ion-selective electrode

Gordon, G.V. 1992. Determination of nitrate-nitrogen by specific-ion electrode. In: S.J. Donahue, editor, Reference soil media diagnostic procedures for the Southern Region of the United States. Southern Coop. Ser. Bull. 374. p. 25-27. Univ of Georgia. http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/sera6/?PUB/bulletinNo374.pdf

Zhang, H. and J.J. Wang . 214. Nitrate Nitrogen. In: F. J. Sikora, editor, Soil Test Methods from the Southeast Region of the United States. Southern Coop. Ser. Bull. 419. p. 138-145. Univ of Kentucky. https://aesl.ces.uga.edu/sera6/?PUB/MethodsManualFinalSERA6.pdf

Soil Organic Matter ($6.00 per sample) measured by Weight Loss on Ignition

Zhang, H., and J.J. Wang. 2014. Measurement of soil salinity and sodicity. In: F.J. Sikora and K.P. Moore, editors, Soil test methods from the southeastern United States. Southern Coop. Ser. Bull. 419. p. 155-157. Univ. of Georgia http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/sera6/?PUB/MethodsManualFinalSERA6.pdf

Miller, R. and L. Sonon. 214. Nitrate Nitrogen. In: F. J. Sikora, editor, Soil Test Methods from the Southeast Region of the United States. Southern Coop. Ser. Bull. 419. p. 155-157. Univ of Kentucky. https://aesl.ces.uga.edu/sera6/?PUB/MethodsManualFinalSERA6.pdf

Soil Electrical Conductivity ($3.00 per sample) in 1:2 soil:water mixture

Wang, J.J., T. Provin, and H. Zhang. 2014. Measurement of soil salinity and sodicity. In: F.J. Sikora and K.P. Moore, editors, Soil test methods from the southeastern United States. Southern Coop. Ser. Bull. 419. p. 185-193. Univ. of Georgia. http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/sera6/?PUB/MethodsManualFinalSERA6.pdf

Soil Texture ($15.00 per sample) by hydrometer

Huluka, G. and R. Miller. 2014. Particle size determination by hydrometer method. In: F.J. Sikora and K.P. Moore, editors, Soil test methods from the southeastern United States. Southern Coop. Ser. Bull. 419. p. 180-184. Univ. of Georgia http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/sera6/?PUB/MethodsManualFinalSERA6.pdf

Prices

Electrical Conductivity $6.00
Nitrates $6.00
Organic Matter $10.00
Chloride $10.00
Soil Texture $18.00
Soil Analyses for Out of State and Research $12.00

Laboratory Proficiency Testing

The Marianna Soil Testing and Research Laboratory participates in laboratory proficiency testing to ensure that our analytical procedures and results are accurate and precise. Starting in 2018, the Marianna Laboratory participates in the Agricultural Laboratory Proficiency Program (ALP). Prior to 2018, the laboratory participated in the North American Proficiency Testing (NAPT) Program. Current and past results from these programs are available upon request.

The Marianna Soil Test Laboratory guidelines on soil sample retention are outlined below. Please contact the laboratory immediately after receiving results if a request for reanalysis is needed.

• Soil samples will be retained at the laboratory for a maximum of 30 days after analysis or until sample storage space becomes limited.
  • During the rush season (September thru April) sample retention may be as low as 2 weeks.
• To request reanalysis of samples you will need to provide the laboratory identification number(s) of the sample(s) that need to be reanalyzed and indicate what analytes need to be reanalyzed (pH, Mehlich-3 extractable nutrients, or both).
  • Some soil samples may not contain enough soil for reanalysis.
• To request sample reanalysis, login to the soil sample submission portal (https://uasoiltest.uada.edu/). Once logged in, click on  “Request a Retest of a Sample” at the bottom of the menu page. Enter the Lab ID and the reason for requesting sample reanalysis and click on” Request sample retest” to submit the request.

Crop Codes

Access Soil Test Results

Generate a Report

Soil Analytical Data

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

County Agent Information

Link to Log in Samples

Soil sample information is submitted electronically through the following web address: https://uasoiltest.uada.edu/.  The CES 435 (paper) forms are no longer used with the new LIMS program.  Instructions for electronic submission of soil sample information are available HERE – Directions for County Extension or within the sample submission system using the “Help?” buttons.  Please contact the Soil Testing Laboratory at 870-295-2851 for assistance.

Sample Boxes

1. Soil sample boxes with a barcode must be used to submit soil samples.
2. Please complete the Name, Address, and County for your client on the front of the box. Field/Sample ID is optional.
3. The barcode boxes include a printed sample number for identification.
4. Do not put tape or write on top of the sample boxes.
5. Do NOT ship wet samples. Please dry samples before shipping to help ensure the integrity of sample boxes, sample numbers, and barcodes within the shipping carton are not compromised. Samples with unscannable barcodes and unidentifiable sample numbers will not be analyzed.
6. When using labels for a name, address, and county make certain the ink does not smear or fade when wet.  Do NOT place labels over the barcode or sample number.
7. Please ensure that a sufficient amount of soil is in the soil sample boxes. The box should be at least ¾ full of soil.

Packing & Shipping

1. Please ship soil sample boxes only in the provided shipping cartons. Other shipping contained may not be sturdy enough to prevent damage to soil samples boxes.
2. When there are not enough soil sample boxes to fill a shipping carton, fill the empty space with paper, large square (4″ × 2″) bubble wrap, or another filler that will keep the soil boxes stable (no movement) during shipping. Do NOT use empty barcoded boxes to fill space in the shipping boxes.
3. Barcoded boxes do NOT need to be packed in numerical order.
4. There is no need to put any paperwork in the boxes before shipping. Make sure that the soil sample information has been entered in the LIMS system before shipping the samples to the Marianna Soil Test Lab. Soils samples that have been logged into the system can be viewed in the LIMS software.  At the Main Menu page select “View Submitted Samples” and Choose: Today, Yesterday, This Week, etc… and look for the barcode number(s) for samples that have been successfully submitted.
5. The Marianna Soil Test Lab will pick up large quantities (500+) of soil samples. If your county has at least 500 samples, please call the lab to schedule a pick up (870-295-2851). Samples are only picked up at the County Extension Office.
6. Upon arrival at the lab, the barcoded boxes are scanned and assigned a laboratory identification number. Samples are scanned in random order on a first come, first serve basis.