Parameters analysed in Soil Health Indicator (SHI)

The foundation: Physical

Parameter 

 SHI basic
 SHI standard
(Fertilisation Manager)		 SHI complete
Clay x x x
Silt x x x
Sand x x x
Carbonate lime (CaCO3) x x x
Soil organic matter (SOM) x x x
pH_CaCl2 x x x
pH_water x x x
Soil bulk density x x x
Na-plant available   x x
Na-soil stock x x x
Exchangeable sodium (ESP)     x
Sodium absorption ratio (SAR)     x
Electrical Conductivity (EC) x x x
Risk soil slaking x x x
Risk on wind erosion x x x
Risk soil structural degradation x x x
Plant available water x x x
Field capacity (pF 2.0) x x x
Irrigation point (pF 3.3) x x x
Wilting point (pF 4.2) x x x
Effective CEC x x x
Ca-CEC x x x
Mg-CEC x x x
Na-CEC x x x
Base saturation CEC x x x

Soil biodiversity: Biological

Parameter  SHI basic SHI standard SHI complete
Total bacteria   x x
Gram positive     x
Actinomycetes     x
Gram negative     x
Total fungi   x x
Saprophytes     x
Mycorrhiza     x
Protozoa     x
Microbial biomass x x x
Microbial activity x x x
Fungi/Bacteria ratio x x x
Gram (+) / Gram (-) ratio     x
Diversity Index     x

Carbon storage: Carbon

Parameter SHI basic SHI standard SHI complete
Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) x x x
Soil Inorganic Carbon (SIC) x x x
Total Carbon (TC) x x x
Carbon in microbial biomass     x
Carbon in bacterial biomass     x
Carbon in fungal biomass     x
Active carbon (POXC)     x
Soil Organic Matter (SOM) x x x
Carbon in soil organic matter x x x
Nitrogen in soil organic matter     x
Sulphur in soil organic matter     x
C/N ratio x x x
C/S ratio x x x
Clay/SOC ratio x x x

Nutrients: Main Nutrients

 Parameter SHI basic SHI standard SHI complete
N-plant available (mineral N)   x x
N-dissolved NIRS* x    
Total N stock x x x
N-supplying capacity x x x
S-plant available    x x
S-dissolved NIRS* x   x
Total S stock x x x
S-supplying capacity x x x
P-plant available   x x
P-plant available NIRS* x    
P-soil stock (P-Al) optional optional optional
Total P stock x x x
K-plant available   x x
K-plant available NIRS* x    
K-soil stock x x x
Ca-plant available x x x
Ca-soil stock x x x
Mg-plant available   x x
Mg-plant available NIRS* x    
Mg-soil stock x x x

Nutrients: Micro Nutrients

Parameter SHI basic SHI standard SHI complete
Fe-plant available   x x
Zn-plant available   x x
Ni-plant available   x x
Mn-plant available   x x
Cu-plant available   x x
B-plant available   x x
Mo-plant available   x x

Nutrients: Beneficial nutrients

Parameter SHI basic SHI standard SHI complete
Si-plant available   x x
Co-plant available   x x
Se-plant available    x x

Contaminants

Parameter SHI basic SHI standard SHI complete
Aluminum, Al   optional x
Titanium, Ti   optional x
Vanadium, V   optional x
Arsenic, As   optional x
Cadmium, Cd   optional x
Chromium, Cr   optional x
Lead, Pb   optional x
Tin, Sn   optional x
P-binding capacity      x
P-saturation     x

Advice

Parameter SHI basic SHI standard SHI complete
Crop + soil-based recommendations optional optional optional
Organic carbon balance optional optional optional

Notes:

  • Analyses may be performed using wet chemistry or NIRS (Near Infrared Spectroscopy), depending on laboratory capabilities.

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