Plant Tissue Analysis

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Description

Sampling the youngest fully-expanded leaf. (photo courtesy of Marci Spaw)
Sampling the youngest fully-expanded leaf. (photo courtesy of Marci Spaw)

A plant tissue analysis offers a snapshot of the plant’s tissue nutrient content at the time of sampling. An early analysis allows for deficiencies and toxicities to be detected, and proper corrective actions to be implemented before permanent physiological damage occurs. Unless otherwise specified, the youngest fully-expanded lead should be sampled. Maria decides to send in a sample of youngest, fully-expanded leaves collected from several plants exhibiting symptomology.

Results

Marconutrients (%) Test Result Acceptable Rangesz
N 4.01 3.71-5.24
P 0.66 0.60-0.70
K 3.20 2.24-3.18
Ca 0.58 0.38-0.64
Mg 0.44 0.19-0.35
S 0.66 0.66-0.69
Micronutrients
(ppm)
Fe 74 74-79
Mn 931 891-1504
B 20 20-24
Cu 6 4-6
Zn 103 87-101
Mo 0.89 0.66-1.08
Nonessential
Elements (ppm)
Na 55 42-60
Al 64 23-210

zSurvey range for Dicentra eximia, fringed bleeding heart, reported in; Mills, H.A. and J.B. Jones. 1996. Plant Analysis Handbook II. MicroMacro Publishing, Inc., Atherns, GA.

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