Soil sample analyses can be entered for a planting in CropManage. The values can be from a laboratory analysis or from tests conducted in the field such as the soil nitrate quick test. On the upper right corner of the planting summary card select the “+” icon and “soil sample.”
Enter the date that the sample was collected in the soil sample form and select if the test value was from a laboratory analysis or quick nitrate strip test. Next, select the depth that the sample represents (0 to 1 foot or 1 to 2 feet). Currently, these are the only 2 depth choices. Selecting a crop stage is optional but can help associate the sample to a specific developmental stage of the crop.
It is necessary to indicate if the soil sample was moist or dry when entering a value for the soil nitrate quick test to accurately estimate soil nitrate concentration. CropManage uses the soil bulk density and the estimated moisture content of the soil to estimate the soil N concentration from the quick test. Finally, enter the nitrate value in units of ppm NO3 determined using the quick test and then select “add.”
The entered soil nitrate value will display on the planting summary card in units of ppm NO3-N in the soil on a dry weight basis.
Alternatively, soil nutrient values from laboratory analyses can be entered for a planting. After entering the date of the planting, select “lab test.” Note that for laboratory analyses, soil nitrate values should be entered in units of ppm nitrate-N. Additional nutrient test values can also be entered for the same date in units of ppm.
Note that soil test values can be entered for two depths on the same date by adding an additional soil sample entry.