At the Soil Lab at Mud Valley Institute we have different soil testing equipment that allow us to observe soils from chemical, physical and biological aspects in the field. Thus, we also dedicate more specific attention in the Soil Lab to soil health through soil biological indicators and soil organic matter contents using the equipment and tools that we describe here in this post. We will share what each does and measure, which Ecosystem Restoration Communities Soil Framework (ERC Soil Framework) indicators each can inform, the protocol of use, and sample results.
Learn more about the ERC Soil framework here.
Microscope + Camera
Soil Testing Equipment Details
OMAX M83BE Series Binocular Biological Compound Microscope, 40X-2000X Magnification
OMAX 10MP USB 2.0 C-Mount Microscope Camera
The OMAX M83BE microscope with the 10 MP USB camera offers a versatile, powerful package for both visual and digital microscopy. It balances robust optical performance, wide magnification capability, and ergonomic design—making it a strong choice for laboratories, teaching environments, and digital imaging applications across biology, pathology, and materials science.
What it measures
Microscope allows visualization and counting of soil microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes.
Why it matters
The microscope is an essential tool for assessing soil biological diversity and microbial health. Healthy soils teem with a variety of life. The presence and balance of organisms is a good indicator of good nutrient cycling capacity, resilience, and disease suppression.
Protocol
- Collect a soil sample from 5–10 cm depth.
- Mix with distilled water in a 1:5 ratio.
- Place a drop on a slide with a cover slip.
- Observe under 100x–400x magnification.
- Use appropriate magnification to observe and identify the different microorganisms.
- Count and record the types and quantities of microorganisms present.
Results Sample: Microscopic View- Soil Microbiology Sample
General background: The field of view (see the picture above) is dense and irregular—showing a complex micro-ecosystem. The slide appears full of fine particulates, some opaque, some translucent, suspended in water or a mounting medium.
- Bacteria
- Appearance: Tiny, rod-shaped or spherical cells, ~1–2 µm long. Often appear transparent or faintly gray unless stained. Some are motionless, others show active twitching or swimming movement (flagellated). Often seen clustered around organic matter, feeding or colonizing.
- Density: Extremely numerous—thousands per field of view.
- Fungal Structures
- Hyphae (filamentous strands): Long, transparent or slightly yellowish threads, 3–10 µm wide. Often branched, sometimes septate (with cross-walls). May extend across the entire field of view.
- Spores: Oval or round, sometimes with visible surface texture; May be attached to hyphae or scattered.
- Organic Matter Particles
- Debris fragments: Dark brown to black pieces, irregular in shape.
microBIOMETER®
Soil Testing Equipment Details
microBIOMETER® PRO 20-Test Starter Kit
The microBIOMETER® PRO Starter Kit estimates microbial biomass and fungal to bacterial ratio by smartphone app. The kit includes supplies for 20 soil tests and comes in a sturdy, reusable box.
This equipment is portable (easy to bring in the field) and it allows quick monitoring of the microbial biomass changes over time. It is of great value when you want to monitor your regenerative efforts in a specific zone (e.g. soil monitoring from year zero and then every year to evaluate the evolution).
What it measures
The microBIOMETER® quantifies total microbial biomass (micrograms of microbial carbon per gram of soil) and fungal to bacterial ratio in soil.
Why it matters
Microbial biomass (MB) is the total number of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, that live in the soil. It is a measure of the mass of the living component of soil organic matter. The MB decomposes plant and animal residues and soil organic matter to release carbon dioxide and plant available nutrients.
MB is thus a powerful indicator of soil health, showing how alive and productive the soil is.
Protocol
- Mix soil of your sampling zone with a proprietary reagent and water (provided in the kit).
- Load into a cuvette and insert into the microBIOMETER® reader or use the smartphone app.
- Get instant readings and compare to health benchmarks.
Results Sample: Soil sample example
- MBC: microbial biomass carbon
- F:B is the ratio of fungal to bacteria
- In the reading, the results are expressed also in % of F (fungi) and B (bacteria) and already informed you about the rate: from Low to High.
By comparing microBIOMETER® results over time, you’ll easily identify if your management approach is successful. An increase in F:B ratio and microbial biomass indicates the effectiveness of your amendments and management practices.
Kiln
Soil Testing Equipment Details
Prometheus Pro1-PRG is a multi-functional kil with a programmable digital controller.
Pro1-PRG is very mean at the electricity consumption, it consumes less than any simple hair dryer. It has a max temperature of 1000 ºC.
What it measures
In the Soil Lab, we acquired the Prometheus Pro1-PRG kiln to determine the Soil Organic Matter (SOM) contents in the soil samples that we collect in the different ecosystems. SOM represents the fraction of soil composed of plant/animal residues in various stages of decomposition.
ERC Soil Framework Indicator 15: Soil Organic- Matter (SOM) & Carbon (SOC) content
Why it matters
SOM enhances water retention, nutrient availability, and soil structure that are key elements of sustainable productivity.
Protocol
- Weight your sample, then dry the soil sample at 105°C for 3 hours.
- Re-weight, then heat at 360°C for an additional 2 hours.
- Weight the sample again.
- The loss in mass is the SOM percentage in your soil sample.
Results Sample: Soil sample example
Original soil sample weight: 10.00 g
After ignition in the kiln: 8.40 g
Estimated organic matter: (10.00 – 8.40)/10.00 × 100% = 16%
Soil pH Meter
Soil Testing Equipment Details
Hanna GroLine HI981030 Soil pH Pocket Meter
Specifically designed for soil (0–12 pH, ±0.05 accuracy, 0.01 resolution).
UV-resistant PVDF body, auto calibration, long battery life.
Ideal for direct soil pH testing and quick field checks.
What it measures
A pH meter measures how acidic or alkaline a solution or soil is. The scale is from 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline), with the value 7 being neutral. Ideal pH range for most plants is between 6.0 to 7.0.
Why it matters
The pH of soil directly affects:
- Nutrient availability: Some nutrients (e.g. nitrogen, phosphorus, iron) are only available in specific pH ranges.
- Microbial activity: Beneficial microbes thrive within optimal pH between 6.0–7.5.
- Crop performance: pH influences root growth, water uptake, and overall plant health.
- Fertilizer effectiveness: Acidic or alkaline soils can lock out nutrients.
Protocol
- Moisten the soil: Lightly water the area where you’re testing (should be damp, not soaked).
- Insert the probe: Push it about 5–10 cm deep into the soil.
- Wait for stable reading: Usually 60–90 seconds.
- Read the value: Analog needle or digital display shows the pH.
- Repeat in different spots for average reading.
Tips: Calibrate weekly, clean probe after every use, and store in electrode storage solution, not water.
Results Sample: Tomato Grower Soil Test
Test result: pH = 5.2
Crop: Tomato with ideal pH: 6.0–6.8
Interpretation: Soil is too acidic, this can lead to a possible phosphorus lockout and poor fruiting.
Action: Apply agricultural lime to raise pH gradually, then retest in 2–4 weeks.
Soil Penetrometer
Soil Testing Equipment Details
The AGRETO Soil Penetrometer measures soil compaction levels. By piercing the ground and measuring penetration resistance. The device identifies compacted layers, allowing us to take targeted loosening measures, improve soil structure and maximize yields.
What it measures
It measures soil compaction. A penetrometer measures the force (in psi) needed to push a rod into the soil.
Why it matters
Soil compaction is the compression of soil particles, reducing pore space. This limits: air exchange (less oxygen to roots), water infiltration (causes runoff and poor drainage), root penetration (shallow roots, poor stability and growth) and microbial activity.
Protocol
- Insert the penetrometer slowly into the soil.
- Watch the gauge for resistance levels at different depths (e.g. every 5 cm).
- Record readings to a depth of 30–45 cm.
Results Sample: Soil Compaction Test
For each zone you are studying, if the penetrometer resistance:
– never exceeds 300 psi, there is no significant compaction constraining root systems
– exceeds 300 psi but never falls below 300 psi, this indicates a deep compaction layer,
which will likely be problematic for root systems and may require subsoiling activities
Additional Important Soil Testing Tool
Precise Scale
Soil Testing Equipment Details
Measuring range: up to 500g
Measurement accuracy: 0.01g
Units of measurement: g / oz
What it measures
A precise scale (±0.01 g) is essential for accurate gravimetric water content analysis, especially when working with small or sensitive samples.
An example of the use of a precise scale is the measuring of soil water content (also called soil moisture or humidity) is critical for understanding plant needs, irrigation efficiency, and soil health.
Why it matters
In small samples (e.g. 10 g soil), even 0.1 g error = ±1% error in result. High precision is critical for:
– Research
– Small-volume greenhouse monitoring
– Soil comparisons
Context-specific soil health testing indicators for our location
The soil testing equipment and tools listed here represent a growing movement in our Soil Lab: democratizing soil science. These equipment collectively provide a comprehensive understanding of soil organic matter content, microbial diversity, and overall soil health, allowing us to support you to monitor & evaluate, track improvements, and make informed decisions.
These methods align with academic research and the ERC Soil Framework, helping non-specialists contribute valuable data toward ecological restoration, regenerative agriculture, and carbon monitoring.
By making soil testing more accessible, we empower communities to regenerate landscapes, grow nutritious food, and regenerate ecosystems—one handful of soil at a time.
The Soil Lab at Mud Valley Institute uses the following soil testing equipment and tools to observe soils from the chemical, physical and biological aspects.
– Microscope + Camera
– microBIOMETER®
– Kiln
– Soil pH Meter
– Soil Penetrometer
– Precise Scale
🌱 The Soil Lab at Mud Valley Institute is an onsite, field-based soil laboratory supporting research and education focused on improving soil health and agricultural production gains. Learn more about it.
👉 Learn more about our partner, Ecosystem Restoration Communities, whose ERC Soil Framework we use, by visiting their website.
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