Updated: September 17, 2026

Soil Test Levels (FIVs), Soil Test Category and Yield Response

Soil Test Fertility Index Value (FIV)Soil Test CategoryLikelihood of Yield Response
0-25lowyield response likely
26-50mediumyield response possible
51-100optimumyield response unlikely
>100excessiveyield response very unlikely

Your soil tests have been converted to the Maryland Fertility Index Value (FIV) scale.

Not all soil testing laboratories use the same extraction methods. There are also a number of ways in which the results can be reported (i.e., pounds per acre or ppm; P or P2O5). Converting soil test results from several laboratories to a common scale simplifies the process of making recommendations for agricultural crops grown in Maryland.

For more information about converting soil test results to the FIV scale and the basis for the conversions, please consult Soil Fertility Management 4 (SFM-4), Converting Among Soil Test Analyses Frequently Used in Maryland.