HISTORY OF THE MARIANNA

SOIL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY

1945

D. R. P. Bartholomew of the University of Arkansas Department of Agronomy planted the seeds of a new agricultural technology: soil testing. He accepted soil samples from more than 10 farms in each county, had his upperclassmen test then, and he interpreted the results to make fertilizer and lime recommendations for each farm. Arkansas farmers embraced this technology with surprising enthusiasm. Within a year, demand for the service had outstripped “Dr. Bart’s” capability to supply it, and he called for help.

1949

Dr. Beacher took over the soil laboratory thereby relieving the other agronomy department staff members who had been operating it in their “spare” time. The lab was located in the southwest corner of Gray Hall, the old white frame structure directly west of the library. In addition to the four technicians in the lab, Dr. Beacher recently acquired an assistant who helps him write the reports of the tests. The assistant is Richard Maples, who received his BSA here in 1950 and is now working on a master’s. Together they write all the reports.

1953

With between 3,500 to 4,000 samples a month to test, a month is usually needed to process a sample. During the rest of this year some 400 samples a week has been the normal load.

Usually, these include: determination of soil acidity (pH); available calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus; the percentage of organic matter and total nitrogen; and the base-exchange capacity or lime requirement. One technician is assigned to each test so that all can be run simultaneously.

The resulting escalation in demand severely stressed the financial resources of the parent Department of Agronomy, and the University sought relief in the form of 5 cents per ton check-off fee on fertilizer. With encouragement from the Arkansas Farm Bureau, the Arkansas General Assembly responded with a 25-cent fee.

1954

The Eastern Arkansas Soil Testing and Research Laboratory was built with these funds to serve farmers’ needs in 26 eastern counties. Two Agronomy faculty members were stationed at the Marianna facility to carry out the soil testing and research programs.

After only one year of operation, the soils testing laboratory located on the grounds of the Cotton Branch Experiment Station south of Marianna, is processing 60% of the soil samples in the State.

This new $40,000 structure was opened for use July 1, 1954, and only one year later had processed 20,000 soil samples. These samples were from the 26 counties in Eastern Arkansas.

The laboratory is operated as a branch of the main lab located on the University campus in Fayetteville. Dr. R. L. Beacher, associate professor of agronomy, is in charge of the soil-testing program and Mr. Richard Maples is in charge of the Marianna branch.

In addition to Noggle and Maples, who served as the recommendations specialists, the staff of the laboratory includes, during the rush times, four laboratory technicians, two persons handling the receiving and mailing department, and two persons getting the samples ready for testing.

1980

All recommendations were computerized.

1981

The Arkansas General Assembly provided relief in the form of an increased fee of $1.20/ton from fertilizer sales with $0.89 of the revenue earmarked for soil testing and related research. With these funds, the Eastern laboratory was remodeled and expanded, antiquated laboratory and field equipment was replaced and new research was initiated.

1984

All statewide soil testing service was directed through this laboratory.

During the last fiscal year, 54,000 soil and 27,000 plant samples were tested and lime and fertilizer recommendations with strong research bases were issued to farmers statewide.

1987

Soil Test purchased its first simultaneous ICP and converted to the Mehlich 3 extractant.

Summary of number of samples and lab staff

	Plant	Plant	Plant	Total	Total	Number of Staff
Year	ICP	TN	Petiole	Plant	Soil	Full	Part-time
1978			11,543	11,543	29,802	4	10
1979					30,816	7	11
1980					32,168	7	10
1981			13,598	13,598	46,260	7	10
1982			11,053	11,053	36,504	10	9
1983					36,672	8	8
1984			9,807	9,807	38,256	8	9
1985			8,874	8,874	47,496	8	8
1986			8,037	8,037	51,912	8	9
1987			10,572	10,572	43,986	8	9
1988			12,849	12,849	50,760	9	9
1989			11,500	11,500	53,424	9	9
1990			18,007	18,007	55,560	10	5
1991			22,549	22,549	54,372	8	5
1992			28,179	28,179	67,332	8	5
1993			23,300	23,300	56,412	9	5
1994			17,550	17,550	63,107	12	4
1995	1,143	988	12,867	14,998	67,116	9	4
1996	653	762	10,285	11,700	74,928	10	4
1997	1,547	1,823	11,862	15,232	96,072	12	4
1998	695	695	3,657	5,047	109,500	12	6
1999	3,051	3,107	7,689	13,847	95,520	12	5
2000	1,085	1,081	2,441	4,607	94,956	12	5
2001	4	4	5,332	5,340	92,952	13	1
2002		84	5,532	5,616	76,332	14	5
2003			5,184	5,184	96,126	14	8
2004			6,139	6,139	82,728	16	15
2005	2,014	2,375	5,079	9,468	100,394	16	7
2006	1,181	2,906	6,101	10,188	95,325	14	5
2007	2,237	2,431	2,279	6,947	115,126	14	6

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