Laboratory of agronomic analysis

Sectors and activities | Laboratory of Agronomic Analysis

Sector activities

Studio Tovaglieri is equipped with its own agriculture testing laboratory. In just a few days, soils, growing media and irrigation water can be analysed and viral, fungal and bacterial diseases, phytophagous insects can be identified. Laboratory tests are an essential and necessary tool for agronomists to propose solutions to problems, following careful consideration: Studio Tovaglieri not only reports the figures of the analyses, but provides explanations, comments and gives advice on the action to take to resolve or limit the many problems that plants have.

Carlo Fornara

Carlo Fornara

Head of Sector

carlo@studiotovaglieri.it

  • Agrotecnico con grande esperienza in campo a 360 gradi.
  • Risoluzione operativa di problematiche nutrizionali e fitosanitarie.
  • Trattamenti endoterapici in arboricoltura.
  • Progettazione e realizzazione di impianti di irrigazione.
  • Consulenza tecnico-operativa al professionista e al privato.

Soil Analysis

What does it involve

Plants grow in soil! Understanding soil through an accurate analysis means being able to give real advice on plant nutrition and health. Observing the condition of the plants and the analytical report of the soil in which they grow, are the fundamental elements an agronomist professionally evaluates the problem he needs to face. Soil testing determines whether the soil is fertile enough for plants to grow their roots by identifying its physical, chemical and organic properties.

Besides carrying out the analysis of single parameters upon request, Studio Tovaglieri also performs “analysis packages” of the soil that provide concrete answers and help to contain costs. Each analysis is accompanied by technical comments and by a tailored fertilisation programme for the cultivation system or for its maintenance.

The analysis packages proposed involve different levels of investigation:

  • EXPLORATORY ANALYSISOF THE SYSTEM, this is where the basic parameters of the soil are analysed to avoid initial mistakes, often the cause of failure (pH and soil salinity, grain size, organic matter)
  • STANDARD ANALYSIS this is where the main nutrients that every plant must find in the soil, in the right quantity and ratio, are analysed in order to better express its own genetic potential
  • COMPLETE ANALYSIS this is where as many as 11 parameters are analysed and discussed in order to have a detailed picture of the fertility and to understand and plan the soil-conditioning, correction and fertilisation operations

Target audience

Farms, Gardeners, Horticultural Companies, Private individuals and anyone who wishes to know the characteristics of a soil in order to have healthy and high performing cultivations.

Analysis of Cultivation Media

What does it involve

The analysis of cultivation media is the most common tool to assess the nutritional state of the crop, like sampling the goodness of a compound before using it. In fact, sound compost producers already provide additional information on the physical and chemical characteristics of their commercial and custom-prepared compounds. The analysis of the cultivation medium is used to identify what might be the cause of possible problems (nutritional deficiencies or excesses) that can arise, or to find out if and how it is possible to exploit crops in containers, both in terms of quality and quantity. To this end, it is essential that the analysis is performed correctly and quickly in order to provide answers and advice on a speedy intervention and address any shortcomings. Besides an analysis of the individual parameters that one wishes to know, Studio Tovaglieri also proposes analysis packages of the substrate for different purposes depending on the needs of the client; for example:

  1. Exploratory analysis of the radical environment of potted crops, to help determine possible significant problems before and during cultivation;
  2. The standard analysis evaluates the nutritional state of the main nutrients of potted crops, which is useful when setting up fertilisation and fertigation programmes;
  3. Analysis of micronutrients present to evaluate deficiencies or excesses.

Target audience

Nursery Workers, Floriculturists and Producers of annual or pluri-annual Plants.

Analysis of Irrigation Water

What does it involve

The analysis of water investigates the agronomic parameters to evaluate the quality and adaptability of irrigation water and the fertigation of the crops. In particular, pH, electrical conductivity and hardness are water parameters that are not taken into great consideration, both in fertigation practices and that of phytoiatric treatments, but determine the solubility, availability, nutrient absorption and effectiveness of pesticides.

Besides testing the individual parameters, Studio Tovaglieri offers analysis packages corresponding to two levels of investigation:

  1. STANDARD analysis, essential to assess the basic quality of irrigation water available;
  2. COMPLETE analysis for a more detailed assessment of the water and the corrective possibilities and methods.

Target audience

Private Individuals, Nursery Workers, Floriculturists, Farmers.

Phytopathological Analysis

What does it involve

These are inquiries aimed at recognising and classifying plant diseases (trees, shrubs, vegetables, cereals, vines, fruit plants, flowers, lawns,…). The preliminary analysis consists in observing the symptoms present on the samples received in the laboratory and, depending on the agronomist’s evaluation, the analysis can be performed directly using a stereoscope or a microscope; otherwise a humidity chamber or a mycological culture is set up, or even a specific test can be performed to verify with accuracy the presence or not of suspected pathogens. The phytopathological analysis report is accompanied by a phytosanitary treatment to be implemented immediately in order to resolve the problem and by the agronomic measures that prevent or reduce the negative effects of the disease found.

Target audience

Private Individuals, Gardeners, Farms, Nursery Workers, Flower Growers, Vine Growers.