Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory
573-882-0623

Compost analysis

It is preferable to know the nutrient content of your compost material which you plan to apply. Based on the compost analysis you can decrease the amount of fertilizer needed.

Submitting samples

After collecting a compost sample submit directly to the Columbia lab.

Each sample submitted to our lab should be accompanied by a sample information form. When submitting a sample to the lab the sample information form should be filled out accurately and completely.

Include a check for the amount due payable to MU Soil Testing, unless you have an account with us. If you have an account with us fill in the firm and outlet number and we will bill you at the end of the month.

Compost analysis sample information forms can be picked up at the MU Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory free of charge or printed from the Web.
Compost analysis sample information form, RTF

Available tests and fees

Regular
Complete compost analysis package
(Total N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn;
C/N ratio; pH and EC)
$40
Total nutrients:
(N, P, K, Ca and Mg)
$20
Total micro elements with total nutruents
(Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn)
$6
pH
(Saturation paste)
$5
EC
(Electrical conductivity-saturation paste)
$6
Nitrate-N and ammonium-N
$6
Total Kjeldhal nitrogen
$10
Total carbon
$4
Carbon
Nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio)
$12
For individual elements only
$6
Sulfate-S
$6.50
Boron
$5
Chloride
$6.50
Moisture percentage
$4

Dicount
10 percent on 20 or more samples submitted at one time.
Volume
Samples should be approximately one quart.

Turnaround time

Soil sample analysis
1.5 working days after samples are received in the lab
Plant, compost, greenhouse media and water analysis
4 to 5 working days after samples are received in the lab

If samples are mailed allow time to and from the lab. Results of samples submitted through county extension offices are mailed first to the county agronomist or horticulturalist for comments or individualized recommendations. The county then mails the recommendations to the person submitting the sample.

Soil test reports can be e-mailed on request at no charge or faxed for a nominal fee.

Interpreting the results and recommendations of compost analysis

As partially decomposed organic matter, compost can have a range of characteristics. Compost can vary because of the raw materials used, degree of decomposition, moisture content, nutrient content, salt content, acidity/alkalinity and contaminants (organic and non-organic materials or heavy metals). Some quality measures such as carbon/nitrogen ratio, smell and particle size are indicative of some of the above mentioned characteristics or the effectiveness of the composting process. Large particle sizes are indicative of incomplete decomposition. A foul odor is indicative of a too wet or too tight compost pile. Finished compost is dark brown, and crumbly, and has an earthy smell. The original materials should not be recognizable. Inert materials such as glass or plastic ideally should be no greater than 1 percent of the compost volume. The below lists characteristics measured by the MU Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory and briefly describes their relevance to compost quality.

Table 1
Compost analysis interpretation*

Characteristic	Reported Units	Desired Range	Comments
EC (electrical conductivity) Saturated paste 1:1 soil to water 1:2 soil to water	mmhos/cm	< 4.0 < 2.5 < 1.5	Electrical conductivity is a measure of soluble salt content. Higher than desired salt levels can be harmful to germinating seeds and plants when compost is a component of the growing medium. The desired ranges may not apply when compost is used as an amendment because of the diluting effect of mixing the compost with soil.
Nutrient concentration	Percent of N-P-K; Ca, Mg, ppm of Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu	Various	Low levels of nutrients may indicate incomplete decomposition or low amount of nutrients in the original material(s). Composting concentrates nutrients and provides for their slow-release, which can result in more efficient plant uptake and less fertilizer leaching. In the latter stages of composting, nitrate and ammonium levels increase. Nitrate can leach from the compost.
pH		6to 7.5	pH indicates acidity/alkalinity. Compost may help buffer soil toward neutral, pH = 7.0. It depends on the kind of material composted and the final pH of the compost.
Moisture content	percent	40 to 50	Very wet compost can cause odor problems, while dry compost can be dusty and irritating to work with.
Organic matter content	percent	50 to 70	Organic matter in compost improves soil structure and water holding capacity.
Carbon/Nitrogen (C:N) ratio		10 to 30	C:N ratio is used as a measure of stability. A ratio of less than 25 likely indicates s compost (the composting process is finished) from which nitrogen will be more available as mineral nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium).

*Adapted from Organic Materials Management. 1995. Michael Leaon. California Integrated Waste Management Board

Compost classes

Because of the large variety of materials that can be composted and the differing amount of effort that can be put into making compost, the quality of compost can vary significantly. Currently there are no formal classes for grading compost. The development of classes will be dependent on the specific needs for differentiating the qualities of compost. The intention of the two suggested classes described in Table 2 below is to recognize compost that deserves a premium price when marketed relative all other compost.

Class A
Compost of this quality is sui as a major component of a growing medium for greenhouses or nurseries. It can also be used as a landscape or home garden soil amendment.
ClassB
This class compost is sui as a soil amendment in production of field grown nursery stock, sod or row crop production.

Table 2
Suggested compost classes

Measurement	Class A	Class B
pH	6to 7.0	6to 7.5
C/N ratio	< 25	< 30
Particle size (inch)	< 1/2	< 1
Moisture content (percent)	< 50	-
Electrical conductivity (mmho/cm)	< 2.5	< 5.0
Man-made contaminants (objects >1 cm/ cu. ft.)	< 10	< 50

Nitrogen availability

Nitrogen is slowly released by compost and made available for plant growth. The amount is dependent on the compost application rate and the percent of nitrogen in the compost. The below provides an estimate of the amount of nitrogen made available from compost during a one-year period.

Table 3
Nitrogen availability from various compost application rates^†

Depth per year	Application rate		Percent nitrogen of compost* and lb of available nitrogen/1000 square feet*
			0.5 percent	1 percent	1.5 percent	2 percent	2.5 percent
1/8 inch	16.9 cu. yards/acre	6.8 tons/acre	0.3	0.5	0.8	1.1	1.3
1/4 inch	33.8 cu. yards/acre	13.5 tons/acre	0.5	1.1	1.8	2.2	2.7
1/2 inch	67.5 cu. yards/acre	27 tons/acre	1.1	2.2	3.5	4.4	5.4
1 inch	135 cu. yards/acre	54 tons/acre	2.2	4.4	7.0	8.8	10.9
2 inches	270 cu. yards/acre	108 tons/acre	4.4	8.8	14.1	17.6	21.8

^†Adapted from the Composting Council
*Based on an average compost weight of 800 lb/cubic yard (wet weight)

Updated 4/19/06