Benefits of Plant Tissue Analysis for Vegetable Producers
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Collapse ▲With input costs rising, increasing urbanization and competition for farm land, and fewer acres of farmland available to grow food, it is more important now than ever for farmers to make the best use of their resources “to grow more with less”. This means utilizing all available technologies, recommended management practices and best management skills to get the best production possible from farms. Plant tissue analysis, combined with soil testing is a great way for vegetable growers to make sure they are getting the most out of their crops by best meeting vegetable crop nutrient needs. These two tools can help growers using either organic or conventional growing practices.
It can be very difficult for vegetable producers to know if they are meeting nutrient management needs of their plants just by looking at the foliage, or judging be what is being produced. Often, before the color or plant condition show nutrient needs or toxicities, potential production has already been lost due to not meeting or exceeding a crops nutritional requirements. In many cases, farmers have applied the same fertility practices to their plants year after year and are only guessing when it comes to managing the nutrient needs of their crops. They may not be meeting their plants’ nutrient needs, or they may be wasting money by applying nutrients that are not really needed at all. Not to mention that some of these nutrients, if applied in excess, may not be the best for the environment. Soil testing, which has been widely adapted by Yancey County vegetable producers is a great starting point for estimating plant nutrient needs, but producers should also consider utilizing plant tissue analysis throughout the growing season, along with soil testing, to best meet the nutritional needs of their crops.
Plant tissue analysis measures the concentrations of essential plant nutrients in plant leaves and petioles. Analytical results are used to evaluate the crop nutrient status, detect toxicities, and correct deficiencies during the season. Essentially, soil testing helps predict nutritional needs of crops based on historical research data. Tissue sampling is like taking a snapshot in time of a crops nutritional needs at the point that samples are taken during the growing season. Growers can think of plant tissue sampling as the test to make sure the soil test prediction was accurate for their situation. High value vegetable crops that have high nutrient needs such as tomatoes, strawberries, or sweet corn are great candidates for plant tissue analysis
Taking plant tissue samples is a relatively easy process. For the majority of plants, sampling the most recent mature leaf is the proper plant part to sample. Leaf samples should be place in paper bags, and shipped as soon as possible to the laboratory. Plant leaf samples should be taken as fresh as possible prior being shipped to the lab. Plant tissue analysis sample forms can be obtained from N.C. Cooperative Extension of Yancey County or online from the NCDA Agronomic Services website. Contact Extension if you would like assistance taking plant tissue samples.
After taking plant leaf tissue samples and getting a report back, vegetable producers can alter drip irrigation practices, compost application, or other nutrient application management practices to better meet the nutrient needs of their plants. Plant Tissue analysis can also be conducted as a diagnostic test to rule out or confirm nutrient related plant problems. Plant tissue analysis is available for growers in North Carolina through the North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA) for a little as $5 per sample. N.C. Cooperative Extension can assist growers with interpreting reports, and adjusting nutrient management plans to get the most out of their crops. Extension works one-on-one with growers considering their production goals to recommend the best management practices particular to their particular situation.
Any vegetable or crop producers that would like to take plant tissue samples, and receive assistance with nutrient management planning for their crops is welcome to contact David Davis (david_davis@ncsu.edu) at N.C. Cooperative Extension of Yancey County by email or by calling the Yancey County Center at (828) 682-6186.