Soil Testing Laboratory
South Dakota State University
Welcome!
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General Information:

If you would like to have soil or plant samples analyzed by the SDSU Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory, please send completed information sheets and payments with the samples to:

Soil Testing Laboratory
South Dakota State University
Box 2207A, AGH 219
Brookings, SD 57007-1096
Telephone: (605) 688-4766
Fax: (605) 688-4667
Email:
Website:

The Soil Testing Laboratory is located in Agricultural Hall on the SDSU Campus. Check out the SDSU Map for more information - Ag Hall is building #4 (somewhat to the left center of the map). To get to the lab, enter Ag Hall through the North doors and walk straight ahead - we're located on the basement floor - room 07.

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Sampling Suggestions
  1. Make sure the sample is representative of the area so analysis and recommendations are meaningful.
  2. In general, take 15 to 20 cores per field for a soil sample.  Refer to detailed soil sampling instructions on the sample information sheet available from county Extension offices or the Soil Testing Laboratory.
  3. For plant samples, sample 25 to 30 plants throughout the sampling area.  For specific sampling instructions, contact your county Extension office or on this website.
  4. Wet soil samples and fresh plant tissue should be air-dried before sending.
  5. Soil samples for fertility analysis require 3 to 5 working days before recommendations are sent out.  Plant samples require 5 to 10 working days.
  6. This laboratory does not do pesticide residues nor fertilizer analysis.  These materials should be sent to: Oscar E. Olson, Biochemistry Labs
  7. The information sheets and payment can be enclosed with samples and sent to:
    8.  
            Soil Testing Laboratory
            South Dakota State University
            Box 2207A, AGH 219
             1010 Rotunda Lane North
            Brookings, SD 57007-1096

    or the samples can be delivered in person to:

      Agricultural Hall (use the north door)
      Room 07
      South Dakota State University
      Brookings, SD

      *There is a room for dropping off soil or plant samples.


Testing Services and Fee Schedule
State and City sales tax should be added to total charges, unless exempt.

Soil Analysis
 
Soil Fertility Tests
Regular Series $11.00
Includes tests for Nitrate-Nitrogen (0"-6" and 6"-24"), Phosphorous, Potassium, pH (and buffer pH if needed), Soluble Salts, Texture Class, and fertilizer recommendations (two per field). 
Row Crop Series $21.00
Includes Regular Series, Zinc, and Sulfer.
Small Grain Series $18.00
Includes Regular Series and Chloride.
Garden Series $14.00
Includes Regular Series plus Organic Matter.  
Third Recommendation $1.00
Individual Analysis $4.00
Any of the above elements.
Secondary and Minor Elements  
Zinc $4.00
Sulfur $8.00
Chloride $8.00
Calcium and Magnesium $7.00
Iron $4.00
Manganese $4.00
Copper $4.00
Boron $11.00
Organic Matter $4.00
Other Tests:
Particle Size Analysis $10.00
% Sand, Silt and Clay by hydrometer method.
Total (Kjeldahl) Nitrogen $14.00
Ammonium $14.00
Calcium Carbonate $8.00
Cation Exchange Capacity and Total Exchangeable Bases $15.00
Greenhouse Media Package $16.00
This package includes tests for Nitrate-Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, pH, and Soluble Salts 
Irrigation Package $15.00
This package include tests for Saturated Paste pH and Electrical conductivity (EC), estimated Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP), and Texture Class.
Herbicide Package $9.00
This package includes tests for pH, Organic Matter, and Texture Class (Fine, Medium, or Coarse). Not for carryover herbicides.
Preground Credit $.50 / depth 

 

 

Plant Analysis
NPK $20.00
This package includes tests for Total Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and recommendations.
Regular Series $26.00 
This package includes tests for Total Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, and Sulfur plus recommendations.
Complete Series $32.00
This package includes routine tests above plus tests for Sulfur, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Copper and Manganese. 
Individual Analysis $14.00
Any of the above elements.
Protein Only $14.00
Chloride $15.00
Boron $20.00
Water Soluble Nitrates $8.00
Petiole or stem 
Call for special rates on 20 plant samples or more.

 Other Sites of Interest:

Other Ag Testing Services:

Feeds, Fertilizers, Pesticide Residue, Irrigation, and Livestock Waters

Oscar E. Olson Biochemistry Lab
Box 2170
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007-1217
Telephone: (605) 688-6171
Web: http://anserv.sdstate.edu
Seed Germination or Purity
Seed Testing Laboratory
Box 2207A
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007-1096
Telephone: (605) 688-4607
Web: http://plantsci.sdstate.edu/seedlab
Water for Human Consumption
State Health Laboratory
Pierre, SD 57501
Telephone: (605) 773-3368

Nematode Testing Service

PSB 153
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007-1090
Telephone: (605) 688-5545
E-mail: Bradley.Ruden@sdstate.edu
Soybean Cyst Nematode Information Sheet (PDF)

This page updated February 2006.