Episode 183. Demystifying Soil Health Indicators and Tests

In this episode of Voices from the Field, Mike Morris, NCAT’s Southwest Regional Director, talks with Dr. Barbara Bellows about her new ATTRA publication, Soil Health Indicators and Tests.


Recent years have seen an explosion of new soil health tests, measuring a wide variety of indicators that depend on the activity of soil microorganisms.

Dr. Bellows is a soil scientist with the Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research at Tarleton State University. In this podcast, she explains how more than a dozen soil health test procedures actually work and offers practical advice on choosing a test that will meet your needs.

Related ATTRA Resources:

Soil Health Indicators and Tests

Microbial Inoculants

Managing Soils for Water: How Five Principles of Soil Health Support Water Infiltration and Storage

Soil Health and Livestock: ATTRA Resources

Building Healthy Pasture Soils

Livestock As a Tool: Improving Soil Health, Boosting Crops

The Haney Soil Test

The PLFA Soil Test

Other Resources:

Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research

For more information on this topic, you can contact Mike Morris directly via email at mikem@ncat.org.

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