plant analysis
The plant analysis lab report generated usually states each of the macroelements ( N , P , K , Ca , Mg , and S ) as a percentage of dry matter , while microelements ( Fe , Mn , B , Zn , and Cu ), present in much lower concentrations , are expressed as either parts per million ( ppm ), milligrams per kilogram ( mg / k ), or micrograms per gram ( μg / g ). Some lab reports will also include a guide to the ideal foliar level range of each nutrient for specific crops to compare the results against , but not all do . Instead , guidelines for the most commonly grown hydroponic plants can be found in plant nutrition books and websites that indicate ideal levels for different species at different stages of growth . A list of foliar mineral levels at which deficiency or toxicity symptoms would be expected to occur are also useful to have on-hand when comparing plant analysis reports .
“ BY COMPARING the foliar mineral levels returned on a recent lab analysis to the healthy range for the plant species being grown , it ’ s possible to see which nutrients fall outside the recommended range .”
Top : Many disorders and diseases can have symptoms similar to mineral deficiency / toxicities . Bottom : Foliar mineral analysis doesn ’ t take into account nutrients incorporated into other parts of the plant , such as fruit .
When to Use Foliar Analysis
Plant analysis can be used for different purposes . It has a vital role in crop research , where nutritional programs for new crops may be determined by analyzing the mineral content of well-grown , healthy plants . This data can then be used to formulate nutrient solutions or soil programs specifically aimed at maximizing plant nutrition for that crop . For those running small trials , foliar mineral analysis may be used to determine how different treatments , supplements , products , growing environments , and formulations affect the nutritional content of the plant . For growers , the most common use of foliar analysis is for when suspected deficiency or toxicity symptoms are starting to show on plants . Since many physiological , disease , and nutritional disorders can look quite similar , plant analysis is often used to rule out or confirm specific nutrient issues so that these can be rectified quickly and correctly . Foliar analysis is often used alongside nutrient solution analysis to determine necessary changes or supplements to prevent deficiencies from continuing to occur . It is also commonly used to confirm that nutrition has been optimal and that the nutrient formulation is suitable for the current stage of growth . Growers experiencing unexplained symptoms such as an overall lack of plant vigour , plant stunting , or low yields may use plant analysis to rule out nutrition as the specific cause of any issues , or to diagnose nutritional problems before they become more severe .
Interpretation of Plant Analysis Lab Reports
Recommendations for the ideal level of each nutrient in foliar samples vary slightly , depending on the reference source . For this reason , ideal levels are simply given as a range within which most healthy plants should fall . Typically , this is somewhat species dependant . For example , normal foliar levels of nitrogen in crisp head lettuce are often stated as being three to 4.5 per cent , while in tomato , a crop requiring a higher level of nutrition , are 4.5-5.5 per cent ; deficient levels would be less than two per cent . For potassium , ideal foliar levels are 4.5 to eight per cent in crisp head lettuce and four to six per cent in tomato , with deficient levels being below two per cent . Micro or trace elements often have a broader range of normal levels in healthy plants . In tomato , iron levels should be within the range of 80-200 ppm and manganese should be between 50-300 ppm , with iron levels becoming deficient at below 60 ppm and manganese below 20 ppm . By comparing the foliar mineral levels returned on a recent lab analysis to the healthy range for the plant species being grown , it ’ s possible to see which nutrients fall outside the recommended range . This can help pick up any potential issues before a stage of deficiency has been reached and plant growth becomes affected .
36 feature