AGR-92
Sampling Plant Tissue
for Nutrient Analysis
G.J. Schwab, C.D. Lee, and R. Pearce, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences; W.O. Thom, Division of Regulatory Services
P lant tissue analysis may be useful to
diagnose plant nutritional problems
or to monitor effectiveness of a soil
fertility program. It is as simple as tak-
ing plant tissue samples from growing
crops and sending them to a laboratory
for nutrient analysis. However, if plants ear leaf
are sampled incorrectly, the outcome
could be misleading and result in inap- cut plant
propriate fertilizer recommendations. soil surface
This publication outlines sampling
Figure 1—Corn. Seedling (plants less than 12 inches): Submit entire plant cutting 1 inch
procedures and recommended nutrient above the soil surface. Vegetative: Submit uppermost fully developed leaf (leaf collar vis-
content for Kentucky crops. ible). Tasseling: Submit the ear leaf.
Tissue sampling should not substi-
tute for a good soil testing program, but
rather it is most effective when used Other elements such as arsenic (As), leaf trifoliate
in conjunction with soil testing. Many cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead
factors in addition to low soil fertility (Pb), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni),
influence plant nutrient uptake (e.g., selenium (Se), and sodium (Na) may
soil pH, soil compaction, herbicide be analyzed on request for an addi-
damage, wetness, drought, cloudiness, tional fee. Although many of the latter
insects, diseases, air temperatures, etc.). elements are not essential for plant
growth, the results may be important petiole
Simply adding more of the deficient ele-
ment may not alleviate the symptoms. for identifying potentially toxic prob-
When tissue results are below optimal, lems in plants and soil.
you must determine the cause before
attempting to correct the deficiency. Mailing Kit and
Often plant tissue analysis is most use- Other Materials
ful when small areas of a field appear The University of Kentucky soil
stunted or discolored. testing laboratory does not offer plant
The nutrient elements measured in Figure 2—Soybean. Seedling (plants less
tissue analysis; however, most private than 12 inches tall): Submit entire plant
plant tissue depend on the laboratory soil testing laboratories also offer plant cutting 1 inch above the soil surface.
to which the samples are sent. Most tissue analysis. Contact the laboratory Vegetative: For plants between 12 inches
laboratories analyze for nitrogen (N), and flowering, submit only the uppermost
for test availability, price, submission fully developed leaf blades (usually third or
phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium information, and supplies. Carefully fourth leaf trifoliate from the top). Remove
(Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), boron the trifoliate blades from the petiole, and
follow instructions on the informa- sample at least 25 random plants.
(B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese tion forms, and fill out questionnaires
(Mn), and zinc (Zn). Testing for these 11 completely. The questionnaire is an
elements may be priced as a package. important communication between
the producer and the laboratory. Lack
of good or complete information may
limit the interpretation of the results.
flag leaf
head just
visible
cut plant
Seedling Vegetative Flowering
Figure 3—Wheat and Forage Grasses. Seedling (prior to jointing): Submit entire plant cutting 1 inch above the soil
surface. Vegetative (between jointing and flowering): Break the top two or three leaves (growing point) from the plants.
Flowering: Submit flag leaves only.
What and When field, samples from “good” and “bad”
areas should be compared. Make sure
Sampling at the latest acceptable
stage (initial flowering) gives the best
to Sample you sample the same plant part in each picture of the general nutritional
The difficult aspect of plant analysis area, and be sure that both areas have status of the plant because most of the
is that nutrient levels within the tissue been treated the same (same variety, nutrient uptake has occurred. Nutrient
change as the plant or plant part ages. same planting date, etc.). As an aid to deficiencies could still develop when
For example, corn leaves have a high proper sampling, diagrams of alfalfa, samples are collected at earlier growth
concentration of nitrogen when they clover, corn, grain sorghum, wheat and stages.
first emerge, but the N concentration forage grasses, soybean, and tobacco
can decrease rapidly as the plant grows. are included in this publication. Sample Collection
This happens because the plant has
the ability to move nitrogen from older
For diagnostic purposes, plant tissue
samples can be taken anytime after
and Handling
tissue to younger tissue. Therefore, the emergence until the beginning of flow- Randomly select the suggested
nitrogen analysis you receive from the ering. At flowering, the plant changes number of plants throughout a field or
lab will vary depending on which leaf from vegetative to reproductive stages. desired sampling area, and remove the
was submitted. In addition, nutrient Nutrients then move into the seed, designated plant part. When a nutrient
concentration tends to decrease as the fruit, or grain from other parts. There- problem is suspected or there is abnor-
plant grows because nutrients are being fore, a tissue sample taken after initial mal growth in part of the area, collect
diluted with greater amounts of plant flowering is not accurate. Examples of two samples for comparison, one from
tissue. To account for this variability, being too late may include: the normal-appearing area and one
sufficiency levels have been determined • corn silks that are starting to turn from the abnormal area.
for specific plant parts at critical times brown, Collect the designated plant parts
in the crop’s life cycle. That is why • flowers in soybean above the two or and place in a clean brown paper bag
useful results require close attention three lowest nodes (No. 6 for grasses and small grains, No.
to sampling a specific plant part at a • seed head that is fully extended in 8 for legumes and soybean, or No. 12
particular growth stage. If tissue sam- small grains and forage grasses; for corn, grain sorghum, and tobacco).
pling is conducted at a time other than • greater than 10% of alfalfa and clover Dust- or soil-covered plant parts should
listed in this publication or if it is used plants that are showing blooms, etc. be avoided. If sampled parts have a
as an aid for diagnosing problems in a slight dust cover, brush gently with a
2
Figure 4—Grain Sorghum. Seedling (less than 12 Figure 5—Tobacco. Select the most recently mature
inches tall): Submit entire plant cutting 1 inch above or fully expanded leaf. This is the first leaf from the
the soil surface. Vegetative stages: Sample the up- growing point that is fully developed. Cell division is
permost mature leaf (leaf collar visible). At flowering, complete, but cell expansion will continue. Prior to
sample the second leaf from the head. topping, it is generally the fourth or fifth leaf from the
bud.
soft brush. Do not rinse or wash with
water as some elements may be leached
Collecting Corn Stalk Nitrate
from the sample. Sampling for diag- Stalk Samples Sampling Procedure
nostic purposes usually means that Corn stalk sampling is a special 1. Select 15 stalks per sample.
some dead or diseased tissue is associ- kind of plant tissue analysis because it 2. Sample fields in a similar manner as
ated with abnormal plant growth that is conducted at the end of the growing with a soil sample. Take stalks that
should be included. season. It is used to evaluate nitrogen represent the area being sampled.
For best results, either allow the management practices for future crop 3. Avoid stalks affected by insects or
samples to air dry or ship them to the years. diseases or with small ears or no
lab using a next-day delivery service. Stalk samples should be collected ears.
If samples are to be air-dried, keep the within a three-week period beginning 4. Remove leaf sheaths.
bag open in a clean, dust-free area until at or just prior to black layer formation. 5. Cut an 8-inch sample of stalk begin-
the sample reaches a moisture content Nitrate levels in the stalk will remain ning 6 inches above the ground and
similar to that of dried hay. One day in consistent over this three-week period. terminating at 14 inches above the
a closed vehicle is usually enough to Later sampling may result in unreli- ground.
dry the samples. Never put the tissue able readings because rain can leach 6. Place the samples in a paper sack,
into a plastic bag. When the tissue is nitrogen out of the stalk. If sampling is rather than plastic, to avoid mold
dry, the bag can be folded and stapled delayed, well-fertilized fields can appear growth.
shut. Write the sample number and the deficient. More information about corn 7. Immediately send samples to the
producer’s name on the outside of the stalk analysis is available in AGR-180, laboratory for nitrate analysis.
bag, and place into the shipping carton “Corn Stalk Nitrate Test.” See Table 3
with the completed questionnaire. for interpretation guidelines for the
corn stalk nitrate test.
3
Table 1. Macronutrient sufficiency range for crops grown in Kentucky.
Percent
Crop Growth Stage Plant Part N P K Ca Mg S
Corn Seedling (<4 inches) Whole plant 4.0-5.0 0.4-0.6 3.0-4.0 0.30-0.8 0.2-0.6 0.18-0.50
Vegetative Uppermost mature leaf 3.0-4.0 0.3-0.5 2.0-3.0 0.25-0.8 0.15-0.6 0.15-0.4
Tasseling Ear leaf 2.8-4.0 0.25-0.5 1.8-3.0 0.25-0.8 0.15-0.6 0.15-0.6
Soybean Early growth Uppermost mature trifoliate 3.5-5.5 0.3-0.6 1.7-2.5 1.1-2.2 0.03-0.6 0.30-0.80
Flowering Uppermost mature trifoliate 3.25-5.0 0.3-0.6 1.5-2.25 0.8-1.4 0.25-0.7 0.25-0.60
Small Seedling (before jointing) Whole plant 4.0-5.0 0.2-0.5 2.5-5.0 0.2-1.0 0.14-1.0 0.15-0.65
Grain* Flowering Flag leaf 4.0-5.0 0.2-0.5 2.0-4.0 0.2-1.0 0.14-1.0 0.15-0.65
Grain Seedling (<12 inches) Whole plant 3.9-5.0 0.2-0.5 2.0-4.0 0.3-0.6 0.25-0.6 0.24-0.5
Sorghum Vegetative Uppermost mature leaf 3.0-4.0 0.2-0.4 2.0-4.0 0.3-0.6 0.2-0.5 ND
Flowering Flag leaf 2.5-4.0 0.2-0.35 1.4-4.0 0.3-0.6 0.2-0.5 ND
Burley Seedling Whole plant 4.0-6.0 0.2-0.5 3.0-4.0 0.6-1.5 0.2-0.6 0.15-0.6
Tobacco Early growth Uppermost mature leaf 4.0-5.0 0.2-0.5 2.5-3.5 0.75-1.5 0.2-0.6 0.15-0.6
Flowering Uppermost mature leaf 3.5-4.5 0.2-0.5 2.5-3.5 0.75-1.5 0.2-0.6 0.15-0.6
Alfalfa At 1/10 bloom Top 4-6 inches (leaves and stems) 3.0-5.0 0.25-0.70 2.0-3.5 0.8-3.0 0.25-1.0 0.25-0.50
Clover, Prior to bloom Top 4-6 inches (leaves and stems) 3.0-4.5 0.2-0.6 2.2-3.0 2.0-2.6 0.21-0.6 0.26-0.30
Red
Clover, Prior to bloom Top 4-6 inches (leaves only) 4.5-5.0 0.36-0.45 2.0-2.5 0.5-1.0 0.2-0.3 0.25-0.50
White
Orchard 5 weeks after cutting or Whole plant 2.5-3.5 0.25-0.35 2.5-3.5 0.3-0.5 0.15-0.3 0.2-0.3
Grass spring green-up
Tall Actively growing Whole plant 2.8-3.8 0.26-0.4 2.5-3.5 ND** ND ND
Fescue
* Small grain includes wheat, oats, barley, and rye.
** A sufficiency range for these elements has not been determined.
Table 2. Micronutrient sufficiency range for crops grown in Kentucky.
Parts per Million (ppm)
Crop Growth Stage Plant Part Fe Mn Zn Cu B Mo
Corn Seedling (<4 inches) Whole plant 40-250 25-160 20-60 6-20 5-25 0.1-2.0
Vegetative Uppermost mature leaf 30-250 20-150 20-70 5-25 5-25 0.1-2.0
Tasseling Ear leaf 30-250 15-150 20-70 5-25 5-25 0.1-2.0
Soybean Early growth Uppermost mature trifoliate ND** ND ND ND ND ND
Flowering Uppermost mature trifoliate 25-300 17-100 21-80 4-30 20-60 0.1-2.0
Small Seedling (before jointing) Whole plant 30-200 20-150 18-70 4.5-15 1.5-4 0.1-2
Grain* Flowering Flag leaf 30-200 20-150 18-70 4.5-15 1.5-4.0 0.1-2.0
Grain Seedling (<12 inches) Whole plant 75-400 13.200 12-150 4-20 3-30 ND
Sorghum Vegetative Uppermost mature leaf 75-200 8-100 12-100 2-15 1-10 ND
Flowering Flag leaf 65-100 8-100 12-100 2-7 1-10 ND
Burley Seedling Whole plant 50-300 20-250 20-60 5-10 18-75 0.2-1.0
Tobacco Early growth Uppermost mature leaf 50-300 20-250 20-60 5-10 18-75 0.2-1.0
Flowering Uppermost mature leaf 50-300 20-250 20-60 5-10 18-75 0.2-1.0
Alfalfa At 1/10 bloom Top 4-6 inches 30-250 25-100 20-70 4-30 20-80 0.2-4.0
Clover, Prior to bloom Top 4-6 inches (leaves and stems) 30-250 30-120 18-80 8-15 30-80 0.5-1.0
Red
Clover, Prior to bloom Top 4-6 inches (leaves only) 25-100 25-100 15-25 5-8 25-50 0.15-0.25
White
Orchard 5 weeks after cutting or Whole plant 50-250 50-200 20-50 3-10 5-20 ND
Grass spring green-up
Tall Actively growing Whole plant ND ND ND ND ND ND
Fescue
* Small grain includes wheat, oats, barley, and rye.
** A sufficiency range for these elements has not been determined.
4
4 - 6”
4 - 6”
Figure 6—Alfalfa. Remove the upper 4 to Figure 7—Red and White Clover. Remove the upper 4 to
6 inches of plant at 10% bloom. Select at 6 inches prior to first bloom. For red clover, submit leaves,
least 50 random plants for sampling. petioles, and stems. For white clover, submit only leaves.
Sampling Soil Interpreting fertilizers are to be tank-mixed with
herbicides, be sure they are compatible
For diagnostic use, a good represen- the Results because some can reduce the efficacy of
tative soil sample should be collected. Tables 1 and 2 list the sufficiency certain herbicides.
When abnormal growth areas exist, ranges for crops commonly grown in Nutrient levels above the sufficiency
take one sample from the normal area Kentucky. If tissue results fall below range can occur when another nutrient
and one sample from the problem area. the sufficiency range, then further is deficient or if other growing condi-
Take individual soil cores adjacent evaluation is needed to determine if tions limit normal growth. Excessive
to plants that are selected for tissue the deficiency is caused by a low level nutrient levels are not concerning ex-
sampling. Soil should not get on the of soil nutrient or if it is caused by some cept in a few specific situations. When
plant tissue as this will contaminate the other factor (e.g., soil pH, soil com- soil pH is low, manganese (Mn) toxicity
sample and alter results for iron and paction, herbicide damage, wetness, can be a problem in corn, soybean, and
manganese. Soils contain high amounts drought, cloudiness, insects, diseases, tobacco. If the tissue Mn level is above
of these two elements. Follow instruc- air temperatures, etc.). If fertilizer is the sufficiency range, a soil sample
tions for submission of the soil sample required to correct a deficiency, then should be used to determine the appro-
to the soil testing laboratory. macronutrients (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, and priate amount of lime needed to raise
S) are generally applied to the soil, the soil pH. Very rarely, nutrient levels
while in-season micronutrient (B, Zn, can be high enough to affect grazing
Cu, Fe, Mo, and Mn) applications are animals. If toxicity to animals is sus-
usually applied as a foliar spray. If foliar pected, contact your local veterinarian.
Table 3. Interpretation of corn stalk nitrate analysis.
Plant
Nitrogen Stalk Nitrate
Status (ppm as NO3) Interpretation
Low 0-250 High probability that nitrogen was deficient. Visual signs of N deficiency
usually are apparent.
Marginal 250-700 N availability was close to “optimal,” but it was too close to economic
penalties for good N management.
Optimal 700-2000 High probability that yields were not limited by N availability. Visual signs
of N deficiency on lower leaves are often observed in this range.
Excess More than 2000 High probability that N was greater than needed for maximum yields.
5
References
The information contained in Tables
1 through 3 was derived from the fol-
lowing publications.
Campbell, C.R. (ed.). 2000. Reference
Sufficiency Ranges for Plant Analysis
in the Southern Region of the United
States. Southern Cooperative Series
Bulletin #394.
Murdock, L.W., and G.J. Schwab. 2006.
Corn Stalk Nitrate Test. University
of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Publication AGR-180.
Walworth, J.L. 2005. Plant Tissue
Testing. University of Alaska Coop-
erative Extension Publication FGV-
00244. (Red and white clover only).
Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative
Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, M. Scott Smith, Director of Cooperative Extension Service, University of
Kentucky College of Agriculture, Lexington, and Kentucky State University, Frankfort. Copyright © 2007 for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension.
This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or nonprofit purposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright
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Issued 12-2007
