Illinois Soil Testing Association
ISTA's Lab Proficiency Testing Program
The Bulls-Eye of Consistent Quality and Consistent Results
ISTA knows that farmers and others in need of soil analysis require reliability,
consistency and accuracy. ISTA membership is proof positive that a soil testing
laboratory strives to meet these expectations.
Members of ISTA are encouraged to participate in quality control programs to monitor
accuracy and consistency of results.
American Laboratory Proficiency (ALP) Program
The Agricultural Laboratory Proficiency (ALP) program provides lab proficiency services
to ISTA-member soil testing labs. The program is based on three proficiency cycles per
year, utilizing ISTA-accepted testing and analytical methods. With each cycle, labs
receive five soils on which laboratory accuracy and precision is evaluated for each test
method. With the completion of each cycle, ALP provides an individualized report
summary for each member laboratory based on an ISTA member laboratory database.
The ALP program takes pride on utilizing proficiency soils relevant to ISTA. Of the 60
soils utilized in the program since 2005, 19 have been collected from Illinois and five
surrounding states. Soils selected for use in the ALP program conform with real-world
soils analyzed by the testing-labs industry and relevant to fertilizer recommendations.
Sixty-five percent of the proficiency soils evaluated in the program have had soil Bray P1
phosphorus analysis values within the 1 to 90 lbs. ac-1 range and potassium values
within the 40 to 450 lbs. ac-1 range, which are pertinent to generating a fertilizer
recommendation for major crops.
The ALP program is the only proficiency program that provides ISTA-member labs with
lab accuracy and precision performance. The program also provides laboratories with
bulk standard reference soils for use as internal quality control samples. For more
information on enrolling in ALP, visit the web site: www.collaborativetesting.com (listed
under Agriculture).
North American Proficiency Testing Program
Some ISTA member labs also participate in an additional National Proficiency Testing
Program (NAPT). This program compares laboratories across the country and offers an
outreach program for laboratories to help improve the quality of their results.
Participating laboratories complete sample analysis and provide results to the NAPT
program coordinator for statistical evaluation. Quarterly, each laboratory receives an
evaluation of their individual performance on each of the methods listed. Annually, the
program provides a report to each participant of the performance of the individual
laboratory and that of the agricultural laboratory industry.
The Bulls-Eye of Consistent Quality and Consistent Results
ISTA knows that farmers and others in need of soil analysis require reliability,
consistency and accuracy. ISTA membership is proof positive that a soil testing
laboratory strives to meet these expectations.
Members of ISTA are encouraged to participate in quality control programs to monitor
accuracy and consistency of results.
American Laboratory Proficiency (ALP) Program
The Agricultural Laboratory Proficiency (ALP) program provides lab proficiency services
to ISTA-member soil testing labs. The program is based on three proficiency cycles per
year, utilizing ISTA-accepted testing and analytical methods. With each cycle, labs
receive five soils on which laboratory accuracy and precision is evaluated for each test
method. With the completion of each cycle, ALP provides an individualized report
summary for each member laboratory based on an ISTA member laboratory database.
The ALP program takes pride on utilizing proficiency soils relevant to ISTA. Of the 60
soils utilized in the program since 2005, 19 have been collected from Illinois and five
surrounding states. Soils selected for use in the ALP program conform with real-world
soils analyzed by the testing-labs industry and relevant to fertilizer recommendations.
Sixty-five percent of the proficiency soils evaluated in the program have had soil Bray P1
phosphorus analysis values within the 1 to 90 lbs. ac-1 range and potassium values
within the 40 to 450 lbs. ac-1 range, which are pertinent to generating a fertilizer
recommendation for major crops.
The ALP program is the only proficiency program that provides ISTA-member labs with
lab accuracy and precision performance. The program also provides laboratories with
bulk standard reference soils for use as internal quality control samples. For more
information on enrolling in ALP, visit the web site: www.collaborativetesting.com (listed
under Agriculture).
North American Proficiency Testing Program
Some ISTA member labs also participate in an additional National Proficiency Testing
Program (NAPT). This program compares laboratories across the country and offers an
outreach program for laboratories to help improve the quality of their results.
Participating laboratories complete sample analysis and provide results to the NAPT
program coordinator for statistical evaluation. Quarterly, each laboratory receives an
evaluation of their individual performance on each of the methods listed. Annually, the
program provides a report to each participant of the performance of the individual
laboratory and that of the agricultural laboratory industry.
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