soil samples analysed by Brookside every year, from around the world.
average turnaround once your samples reach the laboratory.
of research behind the Soil Health Tool (Haney) test methodology.
analytical methods and the latest instrumentation, for results you can trust.
You cannot manage what you have not measured
Guesswork is the most expensive input on any farm. A laboratory analysis replaces assumptions with evidence, so every rand you spend on lime, fertiliser or biology is aimed at a deficiency you have actually confirmed.
Spend only where it counts
Know exactly which nutrients are short and which are already in surplus, so you stop over-applying and start correcting the real limits to yield.
Balance, not just quantity
Cation ratios, base saturation and pH tell you whether nutrients are actually available to the plant, not simply present in the soil.
Track progress over time
Re-test the same blocks each season and watch organic matter, biology and fertility climb as your programme takes effect.
A partnership with Brookside Laboratories Inc.
A critical advantage Zylem offers growers and consultants is access to the superior analytical services of Brookside Laboratories Inc. (BLI), one of the world’s leading agricultural testing laboratories.
Their Soil Health Tools and comprehensive analytical methodology go far beyond standard laboratory work, providing data that enables genuinely informed agronomic decisions. Our partnership gives Southern African farmers access to this world-class service, with local agronomic interpretation included on every report.
Plant, water and media testing too
Soil is where most programmes start, but a full picture often needs more. Brookside runs the complementary analyses that round out your agronomy.
Plant tissue analysis
Catch nutrient deficiencies and toxicities in the growing crop before they show as visible symptoms, so you can correct them in-season.
Water analysis
Assess irrigation water quality for pH, mineral content and biological load, critical for getting a fertigation programme right.
Compost & manure analysis
Know the true nutrient value of your compost, manure and organic inputs so you can apply them at the right rate with confidence.
What the numbers on your report mean
A soil report can look intimidating. Here is what the core measurements tell you, and why each one matters for the decisions you make in the field.
pH
The master variable. It governs how available every other nutrient is, so correcting pH often unlocks fertility you already have.
Organic matter
The engine room of soil health. It drives water retention, nutrient cycling and structure, and is the number to watch over the years.
Cation exchange capacity
How much nutrient your soil can hold and supply. It tells you whether the soil is a leaky bucket or a full pantry.
Base saturation
The ratio of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium on the exchange sites, and balance here drives structure and availability.
Macro & micronutrients
Mehlich III extractable P, K, Ca, Mg, S plus the trace elements, so you can see every deficiency and surplus at a glance.
Estimated N release
A read on how much nitrogen your soil biology will mineralise and supply through the season, and nitrogen you may not need to buy.
The Soil Health Tool: a living picture of your soil
Also known as the Haney Test, this integrated analysis is designed to mimic nature’s own approach to nutrient availability. It combines chemistry with biology, using a soil-water extract, the H3A organic-acid extractant and a 24-hour soil respiration reading, to answer three simple questions.
Build a fuller picture of soil biology and structure by adding any of these Brookside analyses: