Soil contains nutrients and water which are essential for healthy-growing plants.
Knowledge of the nutrient content of your soil and its chemical properties can help you in deciding the type and quantity of fertilizer or other nutrient sources to apply to meet the nutrient needs of the plants you want to grow. Overapplication of nutrients reduces farm profits and creates a risk of environmental pollution. The Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory and Guam Cooperative Extension of the University of Guam analyze soil samples and provide nutrient recommendations based on the plant-available nutrient content of the soil, the type of plants to be grown, soil type, and the past nutrient cropping history of the filed or yard. These recommendations are designed to assist you in managing your soil resource and in minimizing problems related to plant nutrient deficiencies or toxicities. Soil sampling can be a guide to proper fertilization.