A: Based on my own research and discussions I have had with other researchers, the most important factor to stress regarding the use of soil health assessment methods is that just as soil fertility assessments need to be correlated with local soil type, management practices, and climate regime, so too do soil health assessments. 

This may mean one soil health test is better at identifying differences in soil management practices and soil conditions while another method is more appropriate to use in other locations. This is similar to the use of Mehlich 3 for P analyses in neutral-to-acid soils and Olsen for P assessments in more basic soils.

— Barbara Bellows, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas

A: Does the Haney test tell us how much nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) or potassium (K) our soils can provide so that we can use it to cut fertilizer rates? And if it does, is there a written manual that tells us how to interpret the results? 

— Tim Stensland, Badger, Iowa

A: It would be good to understand when are taxa-specific tests such as the PFLA test of more value than the simple “Are the microbes there or not?” tests like Solvita? When is it worth the extra cost? 

Also, as we move into the topic of feeding soil biology, many in the biology arena make the same nutritional mistake that conventional ag has made. There is little emphasis on micronutrients, and an assumption that when you fix pH, biology and the like…