Soil, Water and Plant
Appraisals Services
The services provided by Perry Laboratory are intended to assist in achieving the best growing conditions for your plants.
Thank you for inquiring into Perry Laboratory. The soil that your plants occupy is the basis of how well they will grow. By providing the optimum growing conditions in your soil, you are giving your plantings an excellent opportunity for thriving. We offer a variety of analyses for testing your soil, water and plants. Our emphasis is on plant nutrition and soil fertility.
Click below to navigate this page
- What we test for
- Soil Test Packages
- Plant Tissue Packages
- Water Test Packages
- Additional Tests
Why Test With Us?
Fast Turn Around Times
and Easy To Understand Reports
We are equipped with the finest state-of-the-art instrumentation, laboratory facilities and well-trained staff.
Our regular turn around time is one week but samples submitted to the lab Monday or Tuesday can expect results by the end of the same week.
Plant and soil health can make the difference between a good year and a great year.
Integrated sampling, testing and quality analytics help gain valuable insights into your soil health and plant fertility.
Perry laboratory provides industry-leading analysis and recommendations reports (fertilizers, micro and macro nutrients) of cost-effective and performance-driven inputs, we deliver what agricultural and horticultural growers need to optimize their crop yields and returns.
What We Test For/Testing Analytes
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Potassium (K)
A measurement of the available potassium in the soil; another of the primary plant nutrients, used in amount second to nitrogen by most plants. Potassium is needed for plant water regulation, disease resistance and general vigor.
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Sodium (Na)
A measurement of the water-soluble sodium of the soil solution. This is a toxic ion to most plants. This data is also used to calculate the SAR and ESP.
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Magnesium (Mg)
A measurement of the exchangeable magnesium in the soil. This is also one of the secondary plant nutrients. This is magnesium held by soil colloids, however is also the amount available to plants.
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Calcium (Ca)
A measurement of the exchangeable calcium in the soil. Calcium is the first of the secondary plant nutrients. This is calcium held by the soil colloids, however is the amount available to plants.
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Chloride (Cl)
A measurement of the water-soluble chloride in the soil solution. This ion is also very toxic to most plants.
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Boron (B)
An element that is known to be toxic to many plants in concentrations over 1.0 parts per million.
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Phosphorous (P)
A measurement of the available phosphorous, a primary plant nutrient. Phosphorous is especially important for root development and photosynthesis.
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Calcium plus Magnesium
A measurement of the water-soluble calcium and magnesium in the soil solution. These are available to the plants, however this data is mostly used to calculate the SAR and ESP of a soil.
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Sulfate (SO4)
A measure of the available sulfate, a form of sulfur, in the soil. This is also in a form that is readily leached from the soil. Sulfate is the last of the secondary plant nutrients.
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Lime Content
A measurement of the “free” calcium carbonate lime in the soil solution of alkaline soils. Many plants are sensitive to this free lime and determination of it may dictate whether certain plants should be avoided.
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pH
A measure of the soil acidity or alkalinity. The pH determines the availability of many plant nutrients.
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Organic Matter
A measurement of the organic matter content in a soil. Organic matter is a soil component that provides additional tilth or looseness to a soil. It also provides for additional water holding properties to sandy soils and additional aeration or porosity to clay soils.
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Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn) and Iron (Fe)
A measurement of the plant-available micronutrients held by the soil. This data indicates an accumulation of metals in the soil that may show the previous history of the soil. The availability of these metals is greatly influenced by the soil’s pH.
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Mechanical Analysis/ Texture
A determination of the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay in a soil. This is an indirect measurement of a soil’s infiltration rate. It helps determine the amount of soil amendments that may be necessary.
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Electrical Conductivity (EC)
A measurement of the amount of soluble salt present in the soil solution. This is a measurement of the sum of soluble salts and not individual salts. Depending on the type and amount, some salts provide fertility while elevated levels of others are toxic.
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Nitrate Nitrogen (N03-N)
Readily available nitrogen in the form that is subject to leaching or loss from soil water movement. Nitrogen is one of the primary nutrients used most by all plants.
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Ammonium Nitrogen (NH4-N)
Analysis of readily available nitrogen, however, it is less subject to loss by leaching.
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Saturation Percentage (SP)
A measurement of the maximum amount of water that a soil will hold after an irrigation and drainage; an indirect of the soil texture and organic matter content.
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SAR- (Sodium Adsorption Ratio) and ESP (Exchangeable Sodium Percentage)
A measurement of the ratio of calcium, magnesium and sodium in the soil solution. It is used to determine the effects of sodium on the physical structure and permeability of a soil to air and water. This measurement and the electrical conductivity are used to determine the need of adding a calcium source, such as gypsum to a soil.
Soil Test Packages
All of our soil test packages are available with and without recommendations.
If you choose recommendations, please select ORGANIC or CONVENTIONAL recommendations.
The test code designation R indicates recommendations have been selected.
See more information about the lab analyses below.
Package pricing below includes recommendations.
General Soil Health Package + recommendations
S-15-ROur most commonly ordered test package. Provides information on soil health and fertility + recommendations
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Fertility Analysis pH, electrical conductivity, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium and magnesium
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Sodium, Chloride, Sulfate and boron from saturated paste extract
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DTPA extracted zinc, copper, manganese, and iron
Horticultural Appraisal Package
(WELO Compliant) H-1-RComplete soil chemical and physical analyses + recommendations
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Fertility Analysis pH, electrical conductivity, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium and magnesium
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Saturation percentage, calcium plus magnesium, sodium, chloride, boron, SAR, ESP
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Sodium, Chloride, Sulfate and Boron from saturated paste extract, DTPA extracted zinc, copper, manganese, and iron
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Organic Matter
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Cation Exchange Capacity
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Lime content
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Soil Texture Analysis
Substrate Growing Media Appraisal Package OM-1-R
Complete chemical and physical analyses for potted plant media/ substrate + recommendations-
pH, electrical conductivity, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium and magnesium
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Sodium, Chloride, Sulfate and Boron from saturated paste extract
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DTPA extracted Zinc, Copper, Manganese, and Iron
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Porosity and Moisture Holding Capacity of Media
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Cation Exchange Capacity
Agricultural/ Berry Pre-plant Package
APP-1-RComplete chemical analyses for mineral soils. Beneficial for pre-planting in agricultural settings + recommendations
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pH, electrical conductivity, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium and magnesium
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Sodium, Chloride, Sulfate and Boron from saturated paste extract
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DTPA extracted Zinc, Copper, Manganese, and Iron
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Saturation Percentage
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Organic Matter
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SAR ESP
Choose a Testing Package
Download the Submission Form
Please fill out the form and include the following information with your sample:
- Name
- Address and phone number
- Email Address
- Planting Situation i.e. Established / New Garden, New Homesite
- Sample Identification
- Conventional or organic fertilizer recommendations
- Test Package
- Additional information about sample i.e.: any problems or concerns
Plant Tissue Packages
All of our test packages are available with and without recommendations.
If you choose recommendations, please select ORGANIC or CONVENTIONAL recommendations.
The test code designation R indicates recommendations have been selected.
A combination plant tissue/soil sample can also be ordered for a reduced price.
Complete Plant Tissue Elemental Analysis + recommendations
P-1-R-
N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, B, Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, Na, Si
Complete Plant Tissue Petiole Analysis + recommendaitons
P-2-R-
NO3 , P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, B, Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, Na, Si
Water Test Package
All of our test packages are available with and without recommendations.
If you choose recommendations, please select ORGANIC or CONVENTIONAL recommendations.
The test code designation R indicates recommendations have been selected.
Please inquire about our customized fertilizer solution program.
Complete Water or Fertilizer Analysis Package
W-1-R-
pH, Electrical Conductivity, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chloride
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carbonate, bicarbonate, sulfate, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, phosphorous
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boron, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, silicon, molybdenum
Complete Water or Fertilizer Solution Analysis Package + recommendations
W-1-R-
pH, Electrical Conductivity, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chloride
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carbonate, bicarbonate, sulfate, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, phosphorous
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boron, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, silicon, molybdenum
