Assessing the nutrient status of low fertility, desert soils posses some unique challenges. Commonly used soil analysis procedures were generally developed to determine nutrient levels found in fertile agricultural soils. A question of validity arises when trying to determine the nutrient status of low fertility, desert soils using standard soil analysis procedures. Ion exchange resin capsules developed by Unibest Company, Bozeman, MT provide a possible alternative to use in these low fertility soils. A study was conducted to determine if resin capsules were effective in extracting low levels of nutrients applied to native soils. Two native, desert soils were collected from different locations in Utah. The soils were treated with three rates of nitrogen as ammonium nitrate (34-0-0) and two rates of phosphorus as triple superphosphate (0-46-0). Each soil treatment was placed into two different sizes of air tight, plastic containers. One resin capsule was placed in each container. One half of the capsules were incubated for two months and one half were incubated for four months. The capsules were then removed and extracted with 2 N HCl. Nitrogen and phosphorus levels were determined on this extract.