Find answers to frequently asked questions here.
SOLISCA is a microscopic analysis method that measures the presence of bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes in soil. Each of these four groups of organisms is further divided into functional subgroups, based on dietary preference or preference for oxygen-rich or oxygen-poor conditions. A distinction is made between favorable and unfavorable micro-organisms. SOLISCA provides insight into both quality and quantity of the different organism groups.
The state of the biology in a soil is indicative for its quality and fertility. Soil microorganisms perform various ecosystem services that make healthy soil. These include the provision of good soil structure, water holding capacity, water drainage, build-up of organic matter content as well as disease resistance. Insight into soil biology provides tools for guiding sustainable soil management.
SOLISCA provides insight into the state of the biology in your soil. If any of the organism groups are lacking, or if unfavorable organisms indicate low-oxygen, you can respond to this by adjusting your soil management practices to restore and enhance soil biology. If several analyses are performed on the same plot this gives insight into the effects of certain (changes in) management practices over time.
Analysis results will be displayed on the Soil Life Score Card, which you will have access to after registration on our online platform. The results are subdivided into scores per type of organism. A distinction is made between quality (favorable versus unfavorable organisms) and quantity (number of organisms per gram of soil). You will also receive a score for the fungal to bacterial biomass ratio in your soil. Detailed descriptions are provided with the results to help you interpret the data. The Soil Life Score Card provides in-depth insight into the state of your soil biology.
Taking a soil sample is easy. Collect several 10 cm deep samples in your field using an auger or spade. Mix the samples in a bucket, take three handfuls of this mixture and store in a plastic bag. You will need an auger or spade, tape measure, bucket, plastic bag and waterproof marker. A more detailed guide on soil sampling will be provided for you once you order an analysis.
You can send your sample to us via a regular post or parcel service. We do not recommend doing this just before the weekend, because the package might take longer to reach us, which does not benefit the reliability of the results. The address is Royal Eijkelkamp, ATTN SOLISCA, Nijverheidsstraat 30, 6987 EM, Giesbeek.
The results of your analysis will be displayed in the Soil Life Score Card on the SOLISCA platform. When the analysis results are available, we will send you an email with the steps to register. Click here for an example of the Soil Life Score Card.
We analyse your sample as soon as possible after arrival at our laboratory. We will provide the results within 10 working days after receiving the sample.
No measuring method is 100% accurate. Data collected with the help of measurements never reflect the exact reality, but rather an approximation. This is because every measurement has a certain degree of measurement inaccuracy. This also applies to measuring soil biology, and therefore also to SOLISCA. The measurement inaccuracy is greater for protozoa and nematodes than for bacteria and fungi. This is because soils contain lower numbers of protozoa and nematodes than of bacteria and fungi. In addition, it is good to realize that the analysis results reflect the biology at the time of testing, and that only a relatively small amount of soil is tested. In other words: the analysis results reflect the state of the soil biology in the sample material at the time of testing. The results provide an indication of the biological and overall health of the soil or compost from which your sample was taken.
