Which of the following would typically be included in a soil test for rangeland fertility?

• A. pH, EC, organic matter, and macro-/micro-nutrients (N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, micronutrients)
• B. pH and EC only.
• C. Only macro-nutrients.
• D. Soil color.

Answer: (A)

When evaluating soil for rangeland fertility, you want a test that reveals factors controlling nutrient supply and uptake, not just a single attribute. pH determines how readily nutrients dissolve and become available to plants; if pH is out of the optimal range, many nutrients become unavailable even if they’re present. EC, or electrical conductivity, indicates soil salinity and overall soluble salt levels, which can constrain plant growth and water uptake. Organic matter matters because it stores and slowly releases nutrients, improves soil structure and water-holding capacity, and enhances microbial activity that drives nutrient cycling. A complete nutrient picture includes the primary macronutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium; secondary nutrients calcium, magnesium, and sulfur; and the micronutrients required in smaller amounts (such as iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron, molybdenum, etc.). Together, this suite provides actionable information for liming, fertilization, and organic matter management to support forage production.

Options that include only pH and EC miss essential information about nutrient status and soil organic matter; focusing only on macro-nutrients neglects secondary and micronutrients that can limit growth; and soil color isn’t a quantitative or reliable predictor of fertility.