Soil test is very important in Farming in other to increase or maximize profits . It can be said that, soil test is the use of variety of methods to analyze soil samples in other to estimate the available concentrations of plant nutrient ranging from macro and micro elements, pH,fertility and degree of acidity or alkalinity.

The chemistry of the soil changes with time as temperature, humidity, and rainfall increases or decreases. Long term planting and human activities can also change the nature and composition of the soil.

There is a major difference in the parameters checked when running a test for soil used in agriculture (Planting and farming) and other areas of life. Taking construction into consideration, we determine strength, density, compaction, contamination, organic and sand content to see if it will accommodate the type of building to be constructed. Therefore, soil test is carried out with respect to the reason for it's use.

In this case, we are more concerned with soil test in relation to farming.

The major elements we check are :
Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
While the minor ones are:
Iron, manganese, copper, zinc, boron, molybdenum and chlorine. Others are sulfur, calcium and magnesium.

It is very important for intending farmers and the established ones alike to do a comprehensive soil test in other to know if your soil has a preference for the type of crop to be planted, available nutrients level (deficiency or excesses) . This will help in reducing fertilizer costs, reduce wastage and ensure optimal delivery of nutrients for crop use .

The value of a comprehensive soil test cannot be over emphasized as a proper implementation of it's result will and helps in maintaining optimal soil health and ensures significantly improved crop yields for a long time.

Macro Nutrients: Uses

Nitrogen
-Necessary for formation of amino acid
-Essential for plant growth
-Involved in photosynthesis

Phosphorus
-Promotes root formation
-Promotes seed formation
-Increases efficiency of water
-Hastens maturity

Potassium
-Helps in fruit formation
-Improves quality of seed and fruits
-Increases disease resistance

Others are:

Calcium
-Stimulates microbial activity
-Helps photosynthesis
-Magnesium
-Improves iron utilization
-Hastens maturity

Sulphur
-Helps in seed production
-For chlorophyll formation

Boron
-Helps in the germination of pollen grain
-Cell wall formation
-Sugar translation

Copper
-Increases sugar content
-Increases color
-Improves flavor in fruits and vegetables

Iron
-Acts as oxygen carrier

Zinc
-Necessary for starch, chlorophyll and carbonate formation.

Nitrogen
-Yellowing of leaves

Phosphorus
-Stunted growth or maturity delay

Potassium
-Weak stalk and exposure to infections

Iron
-Chlorosis and stunted growth

Manganese
-Chlorosis and necrosis

Magnesium
-Interveinal chlorosis of older leaves and mortality