Abstract
Crops require seventeen nutrients to thrive. To make sure your soil is providing them, soil sampling and testing are critical. This bulletin provides a brief overview of both by discussing how researchers conduct tests for the most common nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur) in southern Idaho. It also examines the role of the extractant, a solution that influences the release of the nutrient being measured. A handy table identifies the signs of a nutrient deficiency and where on a plant they might show up.