Home & Horticultural Compost

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Compost Test Packages

C1 Solids, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium
C2 C1 plus Sulfur, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Iron, Aluminum, Manganese, Copper, Zinc
C3 C1 plus Organic Matter and Carbon, and C:N Ratio
C4 C1 plus Ammonium-Nitrogen
C5 C2 plus Ammonium-Nitrogen
C6 C2 plus Organic Matter and Carbon, C:N Ratio, pH, Soluble Salts
C10 Required for United States Composting Council (USCC) Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) Participants includes Solids, Total Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, pH, Soluble Salts, Organic Matter, Fecal Coliform MPN Class A), Aggregate Size Distribution, Germination, Respiration and 503 Heavy Metals
C10w/o Alternative analysis package for United States Composting Council (USCC) Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) Participants includes Solids, Total Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, pH, Soluble Salts, Organic Matter, Aggregate Size Distribution, Germination and Respiration. Can be requested on composts not containing animal manures or biosolids.
C:N Package Solids, C:N Ratio, Total Nitrogen, Organic Matter and Carbon The above packages include Total Nitrogen by Dumas Method. Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen analysis may be substituted. Please contact the laboratory.
503 Metals Pkg Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Selenium and Zinc

Individual Analysis

Ash and Biodegradable Volatile Solids
Aggregate Size (Sieves: 2”,1”,5/8”,3/8”,1/4”,4mm)

Bacteria

  • Anaerobic Bacteria (CFU/gram)
  • Aerobic Bacteria (CFU/gram)
  • E. coli (col/gram)
  • Fecal Coliform (MPN Class A)
  • Fecal Coliform (MPN Class B)
  • Helminth Ova (ova/4 gram)
  • Salmonella (MPN/gram)
Boron, Total
Bulk Density (as received and dry basis)
Cation Exchange Capacity by Ammonium Saturation
Chloride
COD
Foreign Material
Germination - Cucumber Seeds - (% Emergence and % Vigor)
Germination - Cress Seeds - (% Emergence and % Vigor)
Germination - Rye Grass - (% Emergence and % Vigor)
Germination - Weeds (in combination with Germination test above)
Germination - Weeds
Maturity Assessment (Odor and Color)
Metals (see page 12 for individual metals list and pricing)
Moisture (@ 70° C)
Moisture (@ 100° C)
Nitrogen, Ammonium
Nitrogen, Nitrate
Nitrogen, Nitrate and Ammonium
Nitrogen, Total by Dumas Method
Nitrogen, Total Kjeldahl
Organic Matter and Estimated Carbon (by combustion)
Physical Tests (Air Space, Pore Volume, Bulk Density, Water Holding Capacity)
pH
pH and Soluble Salts
Respiration, Carbon Dioxide (Maturity Classification)
Self Heating Test in Dewar Flask (Stability Classification)
Soluble Salts
Soluble Salts (saturated paste)
Solvita Test (Maturity Index) CO2
Solvita Test (Maturity Index) Ammonia
Solvita Test (Maturity Index) CO2 + Ammonia
Total Inert Materials (% glass, % plastic, % metals)
Total Inert Materials (% glass, % plastic, % metals, % sharps)
Water Holding Capacity (TMECC procedure)
Water Holding Capacity at Saturation
Water Holding Capacity at 1/3 Bar
Water Holding Capacity at 15 Bar
Water Holding Capacity at other pressures
**CAUTION Many manures produce gases after being sealed in a sample container. Leave space in the top third of the container for gases to expand. Manure samples in glass containers will not be accepted.

Primary Method References

Test Methods for the Examination of Composting and Compost (TMECC), US Composting Council
Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC)
Recommended Chemical Soil Test Procedures for the
North Central Region, NCR No. 221
TXDOT
AASHTO

Quality Control Programs

Compost Analysis Proficiency Program (CAP) Tier II

Forms, Reports & Guides

Sampling Guide
Submittal Form
Sample Report