A long-term field research was conducted by the University of Guelph

Solvita Soil Tests capture key biological, chemical and physical traits indicating healthy functioning in a farm system. The usefulness of Solvita commercial soil health tests as valuable tools to predict soil health indicators such as Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) and Total Nitrogen (TN) has been confirmed by long-term field research conducted by the University of Guelph.

Highlights of the research (Long-term effects of crop rotation, tillage, and fertiliser nitrogen on soil health indicators and crop productivity in a temperate climate) include:

• Diversifying rotations with perennial and cover crops increased yields
• Higher concentration of SOC, evolved CO2-C and Solvita Amino-N developed from diverse rotations
• SOC is positively linked with crop yield; thus, SOC is an indicator of agricultural resilience
• Solvita labile amino nitrogen (SLAN) and Solvita CO2- burst positively correlated with SOC & total nitrogen
• Applied nitrogen in diverse rotations had a synergistic effect on soil health indicators

Will Brinton, Founder and Chief Science Officer, Woods End Laboratories, commented, “The study accessed two long-term plot studies, providing optimal platforms to evaluate soil health test parameters. Such long-term practices provide greater confidence in distinguishing soil quality effects in laboratory analyses than reliance on short term studies. These projects reflect significant commitments of researchers supporting sustainability research objectives. Both Solvita tests (SLAN + CO2) were tested in several combinations of crops, soil management regimes and time frames confirming their usefulness in monitoring changes that are indicative of soil health improvements.”

Solvita soil tests capture key biological, chemical and physical traits indicating healthy functioning in a farm system. There are also Solvita products for compost quality testing. These products are used by soil conservationists, crop producers and compost facilities worldwide.