2008 Joint Annual Meeting (5-9 Oct. 2008): New York State Soil Test Summary 1995-2006.

Soil test summaries provide a valuable index of soil fertility status of a region over time. The 1995-2006 soil test database of the Cornell Nutrient Analysis Laboratory (nearly 2.5 million samples from 50 NewYork counties) was analyzed to determine: (1) statewide trends in soil pH, organic matter, extractable P, K, Ca and Mg; (2) county based soil fertility status and trends. The county summaries also helped increase awareness among the extension educators, growers and agricultural consultants on soil and crop production and management practices. In 2002-2006, 23% of the total samples received by the laboratory were from the home-growers. The preliminary data indicated that across all counties 47% of soils tested high or very high in P in 1995-2001 and 45% in 2002-2006. The median and average P in 2002-2006 was 9 lbs/Ac and 28 lbs/Ac, respectively. In 2002-2006 data the pH ranged from 3.2-11.6 with an average of pH 4. County based distribution of samples along with median and average values of the soil pH, nitrate, phosphorus, and potassium test results will be presented.