The work of the Laboratory Unit at AFBI Loughgall is extremely diverse ranging from routine analysis of leaf, fruit, waste water and compost samples to more complex screening of potato and grass clones for resistance/susceptibility to a range of diseases.
AFBI, Loughgall also run an apple scab disease warning service in conjunction with the top fruit development adviser in the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE). AFBI have recently adopted and developed the use of the faster Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict grass digestibility, thus assisting the grass breeding program to identify superior new material.
Services available:
Other information:
The mushroom industry is dependant on its main raw materials of high quality mushroom compost and casing. In order to ensure consistent production and management of these products, sound analytical and technical advice is essential.
The laboratory at AFBI Loughgall provides a specialist analytical and diagnostic service to the mushroom industry.
Service Provided: Analysis of mushroom compost for pH, dry matter, moisture, nitrogen, ammonia, ash - carbon nitrogen ratio and examination of the compost for pests (eelworm, fly larvae). The above analysis can be used to formulate recipes and estimate compost quality; results can be compared against well-established guidelines.
Waste management is an ever increasing problem. Composting of a range of organic waste materials to produce a useable end product is an alternative to disposal in landfill. Analysis of raw materials, formulation of composting recipes and analysis during composting and at the completion of the process is available to assist in the alternative use of organic wastes.
Mushroom Problem Identification
Service Provided: AFBI Loughgall staff have considerable experience in the diagnosis of mushroom pests, diseases and environmental disorders.
Where growers experience problems with mushroom growth or experience loss in yield, we will try to diagnose the problem and, where appropriate, make control recommendations.
Services Provided: Analysis of casing peat for pH measurement, life test and air filled porosity – estimated absorption capacity.
Apple Leaf and Fruit Analysis
The long-term storage of Bramley apple is dependant on a product with the correct balance of minerals and trace elements in the fruit. Multi element leaf and fruit analyses are offered to the top fruit Industry to assist in crop management and storage decisions.
Service Provided: Analyses of leaf and fruit for nitrogen, calcium, potassium and magnesium and a range of trace elements on request. Results will be presented in comparison to wellestablished standards to allow orchard management and fruit storage decisions to be made.
Compost Sampling
- 50 samples at random throughout a load.
- 2 handfuls of compost per sample.
- Total sample 6-10 kg placed in large clean polythene bag properly sealed and labeled.
- Samples should be delivered for analysis within 72 hours of receiving a batch of compost.
- Avoid contaminating samples.
Casing Sampling
A sample of fresh casing should consist of a minimum of 5 litres of material. This should be composed of at least 40 subsamples taken at random throughout the stack. Casing samples taken from growing tunnels should consist of a sample at least 1 litre. This sample should be composed of at least 40 subsamples taken at random throughout the tunnel. It is important to pay particular attention to hygiene when taking the sample to avoid contamination.
Leaf and Fruit Sampling
Details on the correct timing and procedures for leaf and fruit analysis can be obtained by contacting the laboratory unit at AFBI Loughgall. Samples can be taken directly to AFBI Loughgall (Monday to Friday 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.).
Service Costs for 2009/2010
| Mushroom Compost Analysis |
APSD 1 |
17.99 |
| Mushroom Compost Maker |
APSD 2 |
13.70 |
| Mushroom Problem Identification |
APSD 3 |
29.20 |
| Compost Ammonia Analysis |
APSD 4 |
8.45 |
| Compost Ash (C/N Ratio) |
APSD 5 |
8.21 |
| Compost/Casing pH |
APSD 6 |
6.33 |
| Compost/Casing Life Test |
APSD 7 |
7.13 |
| Air Filled Porosity and Estimated Absorption Capacity |
APSD 8 |
POA |
| Fruit Analysis |
APSD 23 |
26.74 |
| Leaf Analysis |
APSD 24 |
14.63 |
| Loam less Compost Analysis |
APSD 26 |
16.90 |
(All prices exclude Vat)
For further information on any of these services, or if you have a specific requirement not listed here please contact:
Stephen Sturgeon, Mairead Kilpatrick or John Archer,
AFBI Loughgall, Manor House
Loughgall, Co Armagh
BT618JB Northern Ireland
Telephone: 028 3889 2344
Fax: 028 3889 2382
