Importance of Plant Analysis
Plant analysis is an important nutrient management tool. Monitoring of plant nutrient levels at critical crop growth stages through the growing season can help identify potential and existing nutritional problems that can affect crop quality and yield.
In addition to our standard tissue testing, we are pleased to offer a special Plant Monitoring Program (PMP). The PMP is a nutrient management tool used to track nutrient levels of a crop at critical growth stages. By intermittently analyzing a crop and examining nutrient levels and trends, existing and potential nutritional problems can be identified before physical symptoms of deficiency are present.
Unfortunately, once visual symptoms of nutrient deficiencies are present crop yield can already be affected.
In certain instances, a crop that has been set up to produce a high yield potential may run out of nutrient supply simply because of the demand it places on the soil and the soils ability to supply certain nutrients before it becomes yield limiting. In some years a soil may not have the potential to finish those huge crops. Soil physical and fertility status as well as weather conditions the crop has experienced up to the time of sampling may also influence the nutrient levels in the plant. A plant's nutrient demand changes quickly in season as it goes from one stage of growth to another.
It is important to note that the PMP package contains all the analysis performed in the PT1 or PT2. The PMP provides a valuable tool for growers to monitor and track the nutrient levels illuminated by these analyses, and in turn, tailor nutrients appropriately during the growth stages of the crop.
There is no cost to enroll samples in the Plant Monitoring Program (PMP) and you only pay for each plant analysis. Growers are encouraged to contact us to enroll your samples or to find out more information on this service.