The wording in the source

Timing

• For crops other than multi-year crops, a soil test that is less than one year old is required and must demonstrate a need for P prior to any application of P.

  BMP 1.2.1, Guidance

• The contents of the narrative shall not be interpreted or construed as creating additional obligations or requirements that exceed the BMPs detailed in the BMP Checklist.

  Part B, Best Management Practices for VAC Operations, opening paragraph

• Perform soil tests, tissue tests, or both to appropriately plan and manage fertilizer applications.

  BMP Checklist, 1.2 Right Rate, item 1

Who it applies to

• Florida law requires agricultural producers and landowners located within BMAP areas to either enroll in the FDACS BMP Program and properly implement BMPs applicable to their property and operation or to conduct water quality monitoring activities as required by Rule Chapter 62-307, F.A.C.

  Introduction

• Perform soil tests, tissue tests, or both to appropriately plan and manage fertilizer applications.

  BMP 1.2.1

Outside the rule

• Multi-year crops can utilize a calibration curve for subsequent application of P based on the soil test taken before planting.

  BMP 1.2.1, Guidance

Laboratory and analysis

• Use a soil extraction method listed in Appendix 2 appropriate for the soil type to perform soil test in 1.2.1. The use of other soil extraction methods must be approved by FDACS. Maintain documentation to justify using that method.

  BMP 1.2.2

• Mehlich-3 extraction – Used on mineral or organic soils over most pH levels.

  Appendix 2, Soil Testing

In force

• Publication No. FDACS-P-01268, rev. 12/24, Incorporated in Rule 5M-8.002, F.A.C.

  Title page

The wording in the source

Timing

• It is recommended that soil be tested for pH at least once a year, if not every growing season, to ensure that the soil pH remains within the range for the crop/plant/grass species being grown.

  Section 2, Soil and Buffer pH

Area per sample

• One sample represents an area that is uniform in management and topography, typically up to 40 acres of a field section in commercial agriculture.

  Soil Sampling

Method

• For areas with different features and characteristics, separate samples should be collected and then submitted to the lab with appropriate identification.

  Soil Sampling

Depth

• Soil sampling depth should be the top 6 inches for most agronomic and residential applications or 3 to 4 inches for maintenance of frequently mowed lawn or turf.

  Soil Sampling

Cores

• Soils vary from spot to spot, so each sampled area is best represented by a composite sample collected from 8 to 15 locations.

  Soil Sampling

Laboratory and analysis

• All mineral (e.g., sandy) soils with water pH up to 7.4 and all samples from Miami-Dade County with a soil pH of up to 8.2 are extracted using the Mehlich-3 extraction procedure.

  Section 3, Extractable Nutrient Test Values

• Alkaline soils (soil pH >7.4) from all other counties are currently being extracted by a procedure called Ammonium-bicarbonate-DTPA (AB-DTPA method)

  Section 3