What is the purpose of soil testing in horticulture?

The purpose of soil testing in horticulture is fundamentally to analyze soil composition and nutrient levels. This process is crucial because it helps determine the availability of essential nutrients that plants need for growth and development. By understanding the soil's pH, nutrient content, and overall composition, gardeners and horticulturists can make informed decisions about soil amendments, fertilizers, and other management practices to ensure optimal plant health.

In horticulture, thriving plants require a balanced and adequate supply of nutrients from the soil. Soil testing provides critical information about existing nutrient levels and potential deficiencies or excesses. This allows for tailored interventions, promoting healthier plants and more successful growing conditions.

Assessing plant aesthetics, determining insect populations, or promoting soil erosion are not objectives of soil testing. In contrast, soil testing directly supports the growth of healthy plants by optimizing soil conditions based on a scientific understanding of its composition.