Soil Analysis at MSU Extension Service Laboratory
The Mississippi State Soil Testing Lab is an Extension unit of the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. The mission of the Soil Testing Lab is to provide accurate analytical services in a timely manner. With the support of research conducted by MSU faculty members, the Soil Testing Lab provides unbiased nutrient management recommendations. Our lab works closely with County Extension Agents to provide outreach to all Mississippi landowners concerned with improving soil productivity.
Benefits of soil testing:
Services Offered by the Soil Testing Lab
Soil Test
Our analysis includes pH, lime recommendation, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and sodium (Na). Fertilizer recommendations are customized to selected crop codes. Elemental extraction follows the Mississippi Soil Test method. Total soluble salts (TSS) are reported for all horticultural samples. We offer organic matter percentage for an additional cost, using loss on ignition (LOI) testing.
Clients can now choose several different tests. The standard soil test for each sample costs $10, paid by check or card. A test for both soil and organic matter costs $12 for each sample.
Soil tests are useful for clients interested in improving crops, lawns, home gardens, and wildlife food plots. Soil tests take the guesswork out of fertilizer and lime applications.
On-Line registration of soil samples:
Step 1:
Register your soil sample on the Mississippi State Extension Service website.
You will be prompted to make an account if you do not have one. Once you have logged in, select: I want to Submit a Soil Test. Fill out the required fields concerning your contact info and desired crop code. Crop codes are categorized and listed via a dropdown menu. You may select up to six different crop codes for each sample.
Most homeowners and farmers should choose “soil test.”
For those interested in knowing the soil organic matter, that option is available, but know that it will not impact fertilizer and lime recommendations. Soil organic matter is an indicator of overall soil health. Composed material, mulch, and potting media samples are not truly “soil,” so it is not appropriate to test them for soil organic matter. Choose “soil test” for these samples.
Online payment options include credit card and eCheck.
If you would rather pay via physical check/money order, please include payment when mailing your soil sample (rather than mailing it separately). We will not process samples without payment.
Once you submit your sample form, you will get an automated confirmation email containing an attachment with your receipt. Please check your junk mail folder if you don't see it in your inbox. Print this attachment to include with your soil sample.
If printing is not available, then at a minimum, write your order number somewhere on the soil sample box. The email attachment shows the order number located in the top left.
Step 2:
Take the soil sample to your local Extension office or mail the soil sample directly to the MSU soil testing lab.
If mailing via the U.S. Post Office:
MSU Soil Testing
P.O. Box 9610
Mississippi State, MS 39759
If mailing via UPS/FedEx:
MSU Soil Testing
MS 9610
405 E Garrard Road
Starkville, MS
If you take your soil sample to your local Extension office, they will mail the sample to our lab for free. However, if you are concerned with quick turnaround time, then mailing the sample yourself will probably be the fastest option. Taking the sample to the local Extension office may delay your results by several days.
Typical turnaround time is within 2 weeks from the time the soil sample is received at the soil lab. You will get an email containing your results.
Benefits of soil testing:
- Customized fertilizer and lime recommendations take the guesswork out of application rates
- Knowing the optimum rate of fertilizer/lime is more economically efficient.
- Accurate recommendations prevent the over-application of fertilizer, which is detrimental to the environment.
Services Offered by the Soil Testing Lab
Soil Test
Our analysis includes pH, lime recommendation, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and sodium (Na). Fertilizer recommendations are customized to selected crop codes. Elemental extraction follows the Mississippi Soil Test method. Total soluble salts (TSS) are reported for all horticultural samples. We offer organic matter percentage for an additional cost, using loss on ignition (LOI) testing.
Clients can now choose several different tests. The standard soil test for each sample costs $10, paid by check or card. A test for both soil and organic matter costs $12 for each sample.
Soil tests are useful for clients interested in improving crops, lawns, home gardens, and wildlife food plots. Soil tests take the guesswork out of fertilizer and lime applications.
- Define the area to be tested (for example, front yard, back yard, and garden). Each area requires its own soil sample.
- Gather the supplies you need: soil probe, spade or shovel, plastic bucket, and sample boxes or zip-top bag.
- Collect 15–20 different soil plugs, digging 4-6 inches deep, from different places in the defined area. Remove vegetation/turf from the ground surface before collecting plugs.
- Mix soil samples from each designated area in a plastic bucket.
- Fill the soil sample into the sample box or a pint-size zip-top bag. Fill the containers full.
- Label soil samples for easy identification.
- Register your samples and pay for your soil sample testing online through the MSU Extension Portal. This is preferred.
- Lee County residents: Bring your samples to the Lee County Extension office (5338 Cliff Gookin Blvd., Tupelo) and we will process and ship the samples to MSU for analysis.
On-Line registration of soil samples:
Step 1:
Register your soil sample on the Mississippi State Extension Service website.
You will be prompted to make an account if you do not have one. Once you have logged in, select: I want to Submit a Soil Test. Fill out the required fields concerning your contact info and desired crop code. Crop codes are categorized and listed via a dropdown menu. You may select up to six different crop codes for each sample.
Most homeowners and farmers should choose “soil test.”
For those interested in knowing the soil organic matter, that option is available, but know that it will not impact fertilizer and lime recommendations. Soil organic matter is an indicator of overall soil health. Composed material, mulch, and potting media samples are not truly “soil,” so it is not appropriate to test them for soil organic matter. Choose “soil test” for these samples.
Online payment options include credit card and eCheck.
If you would rather pay via physical check/money order, please include payment when mailing your soil sample (rather than mailing it separately). We will not process samples without payment.
Once you submit your sample form, you will get an automated confirmation email containing an attachment with your receipt. Please check your junk mail folder if you don't see it in your inbox. Print this attachment to include with your soil sample.
If printing is not available, then at a minimum, write your order number somewhere on the soil sample box. The email attachment shows the order number located in the top left.
Step 2:
Take the soil sample to your local Extension office or mail the soil sample directly to the MSU soil testing lab.
If mailing via the U.S. Post Office:
MSU Soil Testing
P.O. Box 9610
Mississippi State, MS 39759
If mailing via UPS/FedEx:
MSU Soil Testing
MS 9610
405 E Garrard Road
Starkville, MS
If you take your soil sample to your local Extension office, they will mail the sample to our lab for free. However, if you are concerned with quick turnaround time, then mailing the sample yourself will probably be the fastest option. Taking the sample to the local Extension office may delay your results by several days.
Typical turnaround time is within 2 weeks from the time the soil sample is received at the soil lab. You will get an email containing your results.