The Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station (MAFES) Analytical Laboratory and Maine Soil Testing Service analyzes soil, plant tissue, compost, manure, irrigation water, wood ash, fertilizers, organic residuals and other materials for nutrient content, organic matter, lead and other trace elements. We provide analytical services at reasonable prices to the public and to researchers.
Summer 2025
The soil has warmed, normal biological activity has resumed, and plants are off and growing. A living healthy soil, properly fed, can supply the proper balance of nutrients to growing plants throughout the season. A Comprehensive Soil Test is the best option this time of year, to monitor the levels of all essential nutrients and recommend the proper amendments to adjust pH, organic matter, and nutrient levels to the OPTIMUM range.
The most common problem we see during the summer is nitrogen deficiency – especially in vegetable production. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including heavy rains early in the season. It can also be due to overreliance on compost. Compost is a great soil amendment, but often does not supply sufficient nitrogen. It’s not too late to amend your soil by applying any recommended fertilizer alongside your growing plants as a “side dress”, followed by light mixing and watering.
A healthy soil is a productive soil. A quick check on soil health is provided by our Soil Biology add-on test, which measures microbial respiration over 24 hours. Guidelines for managing soil organic matter quality are included with this test.
Our lab also provides services for Heavy Metals Screening, Irrigation water quality, Compost and Manure testing, and Plant foliar nutrient analysis.
We have a convenient online Credit Card Payment option for invoices only. Please note: This is NOT a pre-payment option prior to submitting samples. Please wait for an invoice for any unpaid balance before paying online.
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The laboratory is located in Deering Hall on the University of Maine campus. (driving directions). Samples may be mailed to us or dropped off at room 25. We are available Monday through Friday between 8 and 5.
Your data is confidential as described in the Laboratory’s Privacy and Delineation of Responsibility Policy. We use standardized methodology and, as part of our data Quality Assurance program, we participate in the North American Proficiency Testing (NAPT) program.