A doctor may take a blood or urine sample for testing to diagnose the patient's illness. The motor mechanic tests the car's ignition system or exhaust gases to identify why there is a loss of power. Similarly, tests may be carried out on the soil to evaluate the soil's nutritional status. Soil testing is not a recent development. In European countries as well as in the U.S.A., soil testing services have been in operation for over 50 years.
Soil testing is now an integral part of agricultural advisory services in most developed countries.
At Cedara, a soil testing and fertilizer advisory service has been offered since the early 1970's. The section also offers other analytical services including the testing of soils and waters to assess their suitability for irrigation, and the elemental analysis of plant material, composts and manures. The value of soil tests Soil tests provide the only objective means of assessing the fertility status of soils. There is no alternative to soil testing. Soil tests indicate the amounts of nutrients in the soil which are available for crop growth.