+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **(R -- 12) HOW TO COLLECT AND INTERPRET**                            |
|                                                                       |
| **PLANT TISSUE SAMPLES**                                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

**Compiled by Linda Scheffe, 2008,
http://www.nm.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/handbooks/iwm/nmiwm.html**

# Why analyze plant samples FOR NUTRIENTS?

-   **A plant analysis is often recommended to evaluate fertility status
    and plant uptake during the growing season.**

-   **It is also used to monitor micronutrient levels and to develop a
    foliar application spray rate of selected micronutrients.**

-   **Fertilizer efficiencies can be monitored.**

-   **A database for future planning can also be developed based on
    plant analysis.**

**Sampling Plant Tissue**

-   **Plant analysis is the laboratory determination of several elements
    on a single sample of plant tissue. This technique is most commonly
    used to diagnose nutritional problems related to soil fertility or
    to monitor the effectiveness of fertilizer practices on growing
    crops.**

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-   **Plant analysis is not a substitute for soil testing, but is most
    effective when used in conjunction with a regular soil testing
    program.**

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-   **The number of elements that are measured depends on the laboratory
    to which the samples are sent for analysis. The most common elements
    analyzed in the sample are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium
    (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (M), sulfur (S), sodium (Na), iron
    (Fe), manganese (Mn), boron (B), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and
    aluminum (Al). Others that may be measured either routinely or upon
    request include molybdenum (Mo), chloride (Cl), cobalt (Co), silicon
    (Si), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), arsenic
    (As), barium (Ba), and selenium (Se). Although some of these are not
    essential for plant growth, the results may be used to identify
    elemental toxicities.**

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-   **In order for plant analysis to be effective, considerable care
    must be given to collecting, preparing and sending plant tissue to
    the laboratory for analysis.**

**What to Sample**

-   **Proper sampling requires that a specific plant part be taken such
    as a particular leaf, group of leaves or portion of the plant.
    Instructions also include number of individual parts, as well as the
    number of plants to sample. This will ensure that a sufficient
    quantity of plant tissue is submitted for analysis and that the
    collected sample is statistically representative of the area under
    study.**

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-   **When sampling mixed stands, particularly forages and pastures,
    separate plant species. Similarly, the sample should be of only
    leaves or petioles or whole tops and not mixtures. The enclosed
    table provides plant tissue collection guidelines for many of the
    crops grown in New Mexico.**

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-   **When no specific sampling instructions are given for a particular
    crop, the general rule of thumb is to sample the uppermost recently
    mature leaves.**

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-   **Young emerging leaves, older mature leaves and seed are not
    usually suitable plant tissues for analysis since they do not
    ordinarily reflect the general nutrient status of the whole plant.**

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-   **The recommended time to sample usually occurs just prior to the
    beginning of the reproductive stage for many plants. However,
    sampling earlier or even later than the specified time may be
    recommended for specific plants or circumstances.**

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-   **Sample plants that are showing a suspected nutrient deficiency
    symptom at the time or shortly after the visual symptoms appear. Do
    not sample or include in a sample plants under a nutrient stress for
    an extended period of time, dead plant tissue or plants or tissue
    mechanically injured, diseased, or insect-damaged.**

##### Multiple Sampling

-   **When a nutrient deficiency is suspected at time other than
    specified for sampling, also collect similar plant parts from normal
    plants growing in the immediate or adjacent areas. Take care to
    ensure that the two sets of plants are at approximately the same
    stage of growth and have been treated the same. Comparative analyses
    are questionable when the two sets of plants are not at the same
    stage of growth, have not received the same treatment or are not the
    same variety or hybrid. If the soil type varies between the two
    sites, tissue analyses would not be comparable. If all the proper
    conditions have been met, then a comparison of results between two
    sets of plant tissue samples can be invaluable to the interpreter.
    Do not mix or place the collected tissues in the same mailing kit.
    When soil test data are available, take soil samples from both
    areas.**

**Washing to Remove Contaminants**

-   **Avoid dusty or soil-covered leaves and plants whenever possible.
    When leaves are dusty, brush or wipe with a damp cloth to remove the
    contaminants. If this is not effective or when leaves are covered
    with spray materials, wash in a mild detergent solution (0.30
    percent) and rinse in running water to remove attached substances.
    Do not prolong the washing procedures or allow the plant material to
    stand in either the washing or rinsing baths. Wash and rinse
    briskly. Wash leaves which have been sprayed with nutrient solutions
    while they are still fresh. If iron is of primary interest, wash
    leaves regardless of their outward appearance. Wash whole plants
    sampled shortly after emergence to remove soil particles that are
    frequently attached to the new tissue.**

**What Not to Sample**

-   **Do not include diseased or dead plant material in a sample. Do not
    sample or include plants or leaf tissue that have been damaged by
    insects or mechanically injured in a sample. When whole plants are
    sampled, remove the roots and wash the upper portion to remove soil
    particles. Do not sample plants, which have been stressed
    extensively by cold, heat, moisture deficiency, or by excess
    moisture. Examine both the below ground as well as the above ground
    portion of the plant. The presence of nematodes or roots damaged by
    other insects or diseases should preclude the need to sample.**

**Packaging Plant Tissue**

-   **Air-dry plant tissue samples before shipment to the laboratory.
    Package samples in clean paper bags or envelopes for mailing to the
    laboratory. Never place fresh samples in a plastic bag.**

**Plant Analysis Interpretation**

-   **The use of plant analysis is an effective management strategy for
    a sustainable soil fertility program because it provides a direct
    measure of nutrient concentrations and balance within the plant.**

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-   **Principles and procedures used for plant analyses have evolved
    over many years and changed as knowledge increased about each
    element that is essential for a plant to complete its life cycle. As
    such, use of plant analyses has become an integral part of most
    agronomic research and a tool for crop consultants and fertilizer
    dealers to monitor production fields.**

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-   **The enclosed table provides plant tissue analysis interpretation
    guidelines for most crops grown in New Mexico.**

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-   **The effects of time of sampling, variety or hybrid and
    environmental factors, such as soil moisture, temperature, light
    quality and intensity may significantly affect the relationship
    between nutrient concentration and plant response.**

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-   **A defined sufficiency range may not apply to all situations or
    environments, nutrient uptake and internal mobility, as well as dry
    matter changes, can affect the nutrient concentrations in plant
    tissues. Concentration and dilution occur due to the difference
    between plant growth and nutrient absorption as well as movement of
    the nutrients within and between plant parts.**

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-   **Under normal growing conditions, nutrient absorption, and plant
    growth closely parallel each other during most of the vegetative
    growth period. Exceptions occur during the very early growth period
    shortly after germination, after seed set and at the beginning of
    senescence. However, if the normal rate of growth is interrupted,
    nutrient accumulation or dilution can occur.**

+--------+-------+---------------+-------+--------+-------+----------+
| **     |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| [PLANT |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| TISSUE |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| AN     |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| ALYSIS |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| GU     |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| IDELIN |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| ES]{.m |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| ark}** |       |               |       |        |       |          |
+--------+-------+---------------+-------+--------+-------+----------+
| **     | *     | **Plant       | **No. | **Nutr | **D   | **Suff   |
| Crop** | *Time | Part**        | P     | ient** | efici | icient** |
|        | of    |               | lants |        | ent** |          |
| **Alf  | Sampl | **Whole       | to    | *      |       | **4      |
| alfa** | ing** | tops**        | Sam   | *Total | **-** | .5-5.0** |
|        |       |               | ple** | N-%**  |       |          |
| **Alf  | *     | **Petiole of  |       |        | **0   | **0.     |
| alfa** | *One- | young, mature | **45  | *      | .17** | 25-0.7** |
|        | tenth | leaf**        | -50** | *Total |       |          |
| **Ca   | bl    |               |       | P-%**  | **0   | **1      |
| nola** | oom** | **Recently    | **30  |        | .80** | .5-3.5** |
|        |       | mature leaf** | -35** | *      |       |          |
| **C    | **    |               |       | *Total | **0   | **0.     |
| hile** | Early | **Petiole of  | **60  | K-%**  | .17** | 25-0.5** |
|        | gro   | young, mature | -70** |        |       |          |
| **C    | wth** | leaf**        |       | *      | **-** | *        |
| hile** |       |               | **30  | *Total |       | *30-80** |
|        | **B   | **The         | -35** | S-%**  | **-** |          |
| *      | efore | youngest      |       |        |       | **7-30** |
| *Corn, | seed  | fully mature  | **30  | **B**  | **-** |          |
| Si     | set** | leaves on the | -35** |        |       | **       |
| lage** |       | main stem.    |       | **Cu** | **-** | 31-100** |
|        | **    | For \"nitrate | **25  |        |       |          |
| **Co   | Early | only\"        | -30** | **Mn** | **5,  | *        |
| tton** | f     | d             |       |        | 000** | *21-70** |
|        | ruit- | etermination, | **30  | **Zn** |       |          |
|        | set** | sample only   | -35** |        | **2,  | *        |
|        |       | the           |       | **N**  | 000** | *7,000** |
|        | **    | petioles.**   | **30  |        |       |          |
|        | First |               | -35** | **P**  | **4** | *        |
|        | squ   | **First fully |       |        |       | *3,000** |
|        | are** | developed     | **30  | **K**  | **-** |          |
|        |       | leaves from   | -35** |        |       | **6**    |
|        | **    | top**         |       | **N    | **-** |          |
|        | Prior |               | **30  | (%)**  |       | **4.     |
|        | to    |               | -35** |        | **-** | 0-6..4** |
|        | t     |               |       | **     |       |          |
|        | assel |               |       | P(%)** | **1,  | **0.4    |
|        | ing** |               |       |        | 000** | 2-0.69** |
|        |       |               |       | **K    |       |          |
|        | **    |               |       | (%)**  | **1,  | **3      |
|        | First |               |       |        | 500** | .5-5.1** |
|        | bl    |               |       | **N**  |       |          |
|        | oom** |               |       |        | **3** | *        |
|        |       |               |       | **P**  |       | *2,000** |
|        | *     |               |       |        | **-** |          |
|        | *Peak |               |       | **K**  |       | *        |
|        | bl    |               |       |        | **-** | *2,500** |
|        | oom** |               |       | **N**  |       |          |
|        |       |               |       |        | **-** | **5**    |
|        | **    |               |       | **P**  |       |          |
|        | First |               |       |        | **\<  | *        |
|        | open  |               |       | **K**  | 2.7** | *35,000- |
|        | b     |               |       |        |       | 60,000** |
|        | oll** |               |       | *      | **\<0 |          |
|        |       |               |       | *N-%** | .23** | **2,200  |
|        | **    |               |       |        |       | -7,000** |
|        | Matur |               |       | *      | **\<  |          |
|        | ity** |               |       | *P-%** | 1.7** | *        |
|        |       |               |       |        |       | *45,000- |
|        |       |               |       | *      | **-** | 45,000** |
|        |       |               |       | *K-%** |       |          |
|        |       |               |       |        | **-** | **2      |
|        |       |               |       | **B**  |       | .7-3.5** |
|        |       |               |       |        | **-** |          |
|        |       |               |       | **Cu** |       | **0.     |
|        |       |               |       |        | **-** | 25-0.4** |
|        |       |               |       | **Fe** |       |          |
|        |       |               |       |        | **-** | **1      |
|        |       |               |       | **Mn** |       | .7-2.5** |
|        |       |               |       |        | **-** |          |
|        |       |               |       | **Zn** |       | **4-25** |
|        |       |               |       |        | **-** |          |
|        |       |               |       | **N**  |       | **6-20** |
|        |       |               |       |        | **-** |          |
|        |       |               |       | **P**  |       | **       |
|        |       |               |       |        | **-** | 21-250** |
|        |       |               |       | **K**  |       |          |
|        |       |               |       |        | **-** | **       |
|        |       |               |       | **N**  |       | 20-150** |
|        |       |               |       |        | **-** |          |
|        |       |               |       | **P**  |       | *        |
|        |       |               |       |        | *     | *20-70** |
|        |       |               |       | **K**  | *\_** |          |
|        |       |               |       |        |       | *        |
|        |       |               |       | **N**  | *     | *12,000- |
|        |       |               |       |        | *\_** | 18,000** |
|        |       |               |       | **P**  |       |          |
|        |       |               |       |        | *     | **1,500  |
|        |       |               |       | **K**  | *\_** | -2,000** |
|        |       |               |       |        |       |          |
|        |       |               |       | **N**  | *     | **4      |
|        |       |               |       |        | *\_** | .0-5.5** |
|        |       |               |       | **P**  |       |          |
|        |       |               |       |        | *     | **3,000  |
|        |       |               |       | **K**  | *\_** | -7,000** |
|        |       |               |       |        |       |          |
|        |       |               |       |        | *     | **1,200  |
|        |       |               |       |        | *\_** | -1,500** |
|        |       |               |       |        |       |          |
|        |       |               |       |        |       | **3      |
|        |       |               |       |        |       | .0-4.0** |
|        |       |               |       |        |       |          |
|        |       |               |       |        |       | **1,500  |
|        |       |               |       |        |       | -3,500** |
|        |       |               |       |        |       |          |
|        |       |               |       |        |       | **1,000  |
|        |       |               |       |        |       | -1,200** |
|        |       |               |       |        |       |          |
|        |       |               |       |        |       | **2      |
|        |       |               |       |        |       | .0-3.0** |
|        |       |               |       |        |       |          |
|        |       |               |       |        |       | **\>     |
|        |       |               |       |        |       | 2,000**  |
|        |       |               |       |        |       |          |
|        |       |               |       |        |       | **800    |
|        |       |               |       |        |       | -1,000** |
|        |       |               |       |        |       |          |
|        |       |               |       |        |       | **1      |
|        |       |               |       |        |       | .0-2.0** |
+--------+-------+---------------+-------+--------+-------+----------+
| **     |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| Unless |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| oth    |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| erwise |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| noted, |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| values |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| are: N |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| =      |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| NO     |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| ~3~-N, |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| ppm; P |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| =      |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| acetic |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| acid-s |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| oluble |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| PO     |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| ~4~-P, |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| ppm; K |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| =      |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| total  |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| K, %;  |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| S =    |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| SO     |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| ~4~-S, |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| ppm;   |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| B, Cu, |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| Fe,    |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| Mn,    |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| and Zn |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| =      |       |               |       |        |       |          |
| ppm.** |       |               |       |        |       |          |
+--------+-------+---------------+-------+--------+-------+----------+

+-------+-------+---------------+-------+---------+-------+----------+
| **[   |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| PLANT |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| T     |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| ISSUE |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| ANA   |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| LYSIS |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| GUIDE |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| LINES |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| ]{.ma |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| rk}** |       |               |       |         |       |          |
+-------+-------+---------------+-------+---------+-------+----------+
|       |       |               |       |         |       |          |
+-------+-------+---------------+-------+---------+-------+----------+
| **C   | *     | **Plant       | **No. | **Nut   | **D   | **Suff   |
| rop** | *Time | Part**        | P     | rient** | efici | icient** |
|       | of    |               | lants |         | ent** |          |
| *     | Sampl | **Mid-rib of  | to    | **N**   |       | *        |
| *Lett | ing** | wrapper       | Sam   |         | **4,  | *8,000** |
| uce** |       | leaf**        | ple** | **P**   | 000** |          |
|       | **At  |               |       |         |       | *        |
| **On  | head  | **Mid-rib of  | **30  | **K**   | **2,  | *4,000** |
| ion** | ing** | wrapper       | -50** |         | 000** |          |
|       |       | leaf**        |       | **N**   |       | **4**    |
| *     | **At  |               | **30  |         | **2** |          |
| *Pean | harv  | **Tallest     | -50** | **P**   |       | *        |
| uts** | est** | leaf**        |       |         | **3,  | *6,000** |
|       |       |               | **45  | **K**   | 000** |          |
| **Pec | **Ea  | **Tallest     | -50** |         |       | *        |
| ans** | rly** | leaf**        |       | **N-%** | **1,  | *2,500** |
|       |       |               | **45  |         | 500** |          |
| **    | **Sea | **Tallest     | -50** | **P-%** |       | **2.5**  |
| Small | son** | leaf**        |       |         | **    |          |
| gra   |       |               | **45  | **K-%** | 1.5** | **4.0**  |
| ins** | **Mi  | **Recently    | -50** |         |       |          |
|       | d-sea | mature        |       | **N-%** | **    | **0.20** |
| *     | son** | leaves**      | **40  |         | 3.0** |          |
| *Sorg |       |               | -50** | **P-%** |       | **4.0**  |
| hum** | *     | **2 to 4      |       |         | **0   |          |
|       | *Late | paired        | **80- | **K-%** | .10** | **3.0**  |
| **(mi | sea   | mid-leaflets  | 100** |         |       |          |
| lo)** | son** | on the        |       | **N-%** | **    | **0.20** |
|       |       | mid-part of   | **25  |         | 3.0** |          |
|       | **B   | current       | -40** | **P-%** |       | **4.0**  |
|       | efore | season\'s     |       |         | **    |          |
|       | or at | growth taken  | **20  | **K-%** | 2.5** | **2.5**  |
|       | bl    | from each of  | -30** |         |       |          |
|       | oom** | tree\'s four  |       | **N-%** | **0   | **0.20** |
|       |       | quadrants     |       |         | .10** |          |
|       | *     | mid-way up    |       | **P-%** |       | **3.0**  |
|       | *July | the tree**    |       |         | **    |          |
|       | or    |               |       | **K-%** | 2.5** | **3      |
|       | Aug   | **4 uppermost |       |         |       | .5-4.5** |
|       | ust** | leaf blades** |       | **S-%** | **    |          |
|       |       |               |       |         | 2.0** | **0.     |
|       | **B   | **2^nd^ leaf  |       | **B**   |       | 2-0.35** |
|       | efore | from top of   |       |         | **0   |          |
|       | head  | plant**       |       | **Cu**  | .10** | **1      |
|       | ing** |               |       |         |       | .7-3.0** |
|       |       |               |       | **Fe**  | **    |          |
|       | **B   |               |       |         | 2.0** | **0      |
|       | efore |               |       | **Mn**  |       | .2-0.3** |
|       | or at |               |       |         | *     |          |
|       | head  |               |       | **Zn**  | *\_** | *        |
|       | ing** |               |       |         |       | *20-50** |
|       |       |               |       | **N-%** | *     |          |
|       |       |               |       |         | *\_** | *        |
|       |       |               |       | **P-%** |       | *10-50** |
|       |       |               |       |         | *     |          |
|       |       |               |       | **K-%** | *\_** | **1      |
|       |       |               |       |         |       | 00-350** |
|       |       |               |       | **N-%** | *     |          |
|       |       |               |       |         | *\_** | **1      |
|       |       |               |       | **P-%** |       | 00-350** |
|       |       |               |       |         | *     |          |
|       |       |               |       | **K-%** | *\_** | *        |
|       |       |               |       |         |       | *20-50** |
|       |       |               |       | **N-%** | *     |          |
|       |       |               |       |         | *\_** | **2      |
|       |       |               |       | **P-%** |       | .5-2.9** |
|       |       |               |       |         | *     |          |
|       |       |               |       | **K-%** | *\_** | **0.1    |
|       |       |               |       |         |       | 2-0.30** |
|       |       |               |       |         | *     |          |
|       |       |               |       |         | *\_** | **0.7    |
|       |       |               |       |         |       | 5-0.95** |
|       |       |               |       |         | *     |          |
|       |       |               |       |         | *\_** | **1      |
|       |       |               |       |         |       | .7-3.0** |
|       |       |               |       |         | *     |          |
|       |       |               |       |         | *\_** | **0.2    |
|       |       |               |       |         |       | 0-0.50** |
|       |       |               |       |         | *     |          |
|       |       |               |       |         | *\_** | **1      |
|       |       |               |       |         |       | .5-3.0** |
|       |       |               |       |         | *     |          |
|       |       |               |       |         | *\_** | **3      |
|       |       |               |       |         |       | .3-4.0** |
|       |       |               |       |         | **-** |          |
|       |       |               |       |         |       | **0.2    |
|       |       |               |       |         | **-** | 0-0.35** |
|       |       |               |       |         |       |          |
|       |       |               |       |         | **-** | **1      |
|       |       |               |       |         |       | .4-2.5** |
|       |       |               |       |         | **-** |          |
|       |       |               |       |         |       |          |
|       |       |               |       |         | **-** |          |
|       |       |               |       |         |       |          |
|       |       |               |       |         | **-** |          |
+-------+-------+---------------+-------+---------+-------+----------+
| **U   |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| nless |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| othe  |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| rwise |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| n     |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| oted, |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| v     |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| alues |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| are:  |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| N =   |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| NO~   |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| 3~-N, |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| ppm;  |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| P =   |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| a     |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| cetic |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| ac    |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| id-so |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| luble |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| PO~   |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| 4~-P, |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| ppm;  |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| K =   |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| total |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| K, %; |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| S =   |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| SO~   |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| 4~-S, |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| ppm;  |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| B,    |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| Cu,   |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| Fe,   |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| Mn,   |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| and   |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| Zn =  |       |               |       |         |       |          |
| ppm** |       |               |       |         |       |          |
+-------+-------+---------------+-------+---------+-------+----------+
|       |       |               |       |         |       |          |
+-------+-------+---------------+-------+---------+-------+----------+
|       |       |               |       |         |       |          |
+-------+-------+---------------+-------+---------+-------+----------+

## [Essential Elements for Plant Growth]{.underline}

[**http://www.soils.wisc.edu/\~barak/soilscience326/listofel.htm**](http://www.soils.wisc.edu/~barak/soilscience326/listofel.htm)

![](media/image1.png){width="5.771527777777778in"
height="2.2583333333333333in"}

**[General Symptoms of Nutrient Deficiency in Plants and Sampling
Techniques]{.underline}**

<http://www.cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_a/a-123.html>

  -------------------------------- --------------------------------------
  **Nitrogen:** Plant light green, **Iron**: Young leaves are chlorotic,
  lower leaves yellow to light     with principal veins typically green;
  brown, stalks short and slender, stalks short and slender.
  plants stunted.                  

  **Phosphorus**: Plants dark      **Zinc**: Leaf spots on older leaves,
  green, often developing red and  with spots rapidly enlarging and
  purple pigments; lower leaves    generally involving the area between
  sometimes yellow; plants         the veins; thick leaves; stalks with
  stunted.                         shortened internodes.

  **Potassium**: Spots of dead     **Boron**: Young leaves of the
  tissue, usually at the tips and  terminal bud are light green at the
  between the veins; marked        base; the bud eventually dies.
  margins of leaves.               

  **Magnesium**: Mottled or        **Copper**: Young leaves are
  chlorotic leaves, which          permanently wilted, with spotty or
  typically redden; leaf tips and  marked chlorosis.
  margins turned or cupped upward. 

  **Calcium**: Young leaves of     **Manganese**: Spots of dead tissue
  terminal bud hooded; with severe scattered over the leaf; smallest
  deficiency, dying buds; dying    veins tend to remain green.
  back at the tips and margins of  
  the leaf.                        

  **Sulfur**: In young leaves,     
  veins and tissue between veins   
  are light green.                 
  -------------------------------- --------------------------------------

** **

+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| ![](media/image2.jp              |                                   |
| eg){width="1.2173611111111111in" |                                   |
| height="1.3319                   |                                   |
| 444444444444in"}**Corn\...before |                                   |
| tasseling**                      |                                   |
|                                  |                                   |
| Collect the first fully          |                                   |
| developed leaves from the top of |                                   |
| 15-20 plants. If the plant is    |                                   |
| less than 12 inches tall,        |                                   |
| collect all of the above-ground  |                                   |
| portion.                         |                                   |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| ![](media/image3.j               | ![](media/image4.                 |
| peg){width="1.457638888888889in" | jpeg){width="1.301388888888889in" |
| height="1                        | height="1                         |
| .5923611111111111in"}**Alfalfa** | .5715277777777779in"}**Soybeans** |
| Collect the top 6 inches or      | Collect recently mature           |
| upper third of the plant at      | trifoliate leaves from the top of |
| early bloom.                     | 20-30 plants before or during     |
|                                  | bloom. (In the seedling stage,    |
|                                  | collect all of the above-ground   |
|                                  | portion of the plant.)            |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| ![](media/image5.j               |                                   |
| peg){width="1.301388888888889in" | ![]                               |
| height="2.25in"}**Corn\...from   | (media/image6.jpeg){width="1.5in" |
| tasseling to silking** Collect   | height="                          |
| the leaves below and opposite    | 2.0819444444444444in"}**Sorghum** |
| from the ear of 15-20 plants.    | Collect the second leaf from the  |
|                                  | top of 20-30 plants before or at  |
|                                  | heading.                          |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| ![](media/image7.jp              | ![](media/image8.j                |
| eg){width="1.7395833333333333in" | peg){width="1.7395833333333333in" |
| height="1.                       | height                            |
| 4159722222222222in"}**Pistachios | ="1.4909722222222221in"}**Apples, |
| and Walnuts** Collect terminal   | Pears, Almonds, Apricots,         |
| leaflets/s from nonfruiting      | Cherries, Prunes, Plums** Collect |
| shoots at mid- to late season.   | the leaves from the current       |
|                                  | season\'s nonfruiting,            |
|                                  | nonexpanding spurs at midseason.  |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| ![](media/image9.jp              | ![](media/image10.j               |
| eg){width="1.4277777777777778in" | peg){width="1.6979166666666667in" |
| height                           | height=                           |
| ="1.301388888888889in"}**Pecans, | "1.3736111111111111in"}**Grapes** |
| Peaches, and Nectarines**        | Collect the petioles or leaves    |
| Collect the midshoot             | adjacent to basal clusters at     |
| leaflets/leaves at midseason.    | bloom.                            |
|                                  |                                   |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
|                                  | ![](medi                          |
| ![](media/image11.jp             | a/image12.jpeg){width="1.71875in" |
| eg){width="1.2715277777777778in" | height=                           |
| heigh                            | "2.3333333333333335in"}**Cotton** |
| t="1.7395833333333333in"}**Small | Collect recent from the main stem |
| grains** Collect the four uleaf  | on 40 to 50 plants selected at    |
| blades from the top of 25-40     | random at full bloom.             |
| plants. Sample should equal 2    |                                   |
| cups. (In the seedling stage,    |                                   |
| collect all of the above-ground  |                                   |
| portion.)                        |                                   |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

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