Ventura(Headquarters) Bakersfield
Capco Analytical Services, Inc. JH Biotech
1536 Eastman Ave. Suite B 250 Washington Street
Ventura, CA 93003 Bakersfield, CA 93307
Phone: (805) 644-1095; Fax: (805) 644-9947 Phone:(661) 638-0210
Instructions for petiole or leaf sampling may differ. Also, comparing samples from both a "good" and a "bad" area often helps in determining corrective action. If specific sampling guidelines are not given here, collect recently mature leaves just below the growing point from at least 10 plants.
When gathering the tissue sample in the field, use a clean container. A plastic pail or a paper bag works best. Never use a metal container because it can contaminate the sample.
If the plant samples have soil, fertilizer, dust, or spray residues on them, they will need to be cleaned. A dry brush works best, but for stubborn residues, wipe the samples with a damp cloth or wash them with distilled or deionized water. However, do not prolong the washing because it can leach nutrients out of the tissue.
Air-dry the samples in the shade, not in the sun. To prevent contamination, place the dried samples into clean paper bags or envelops for mailing to the laboratory. Never place fresh plant tissue samples in plastic bags for mailing. The plastic bags do not allow the samples to dry, so they may decompose. It is also a good idea to take a soil sample in the same vicinity as the plant sample because the soil test may help to interpret the plant tissue analysis readings. Mail the samples to: Capco Analytical Services, Inc. 1536 Eastman Ave. Suite B, Ventura, CA, 93003
Provide Information with the Sample and chain of custody
When mailing samples to the laboratory, be sure to provide the following information on the chain of custody:
-Type of crop.
-Variety.
-Soil type (if known).
-Current crop fertilization and management practices (such as stand, kinds and rates of fertilizer, method of fertilizer application).
-Last year's crop fertilization practices and yield.
-Irrigation frequency and quality of irrigation water.
-Visual appearance of crop.
-Insect and disease problems (if any).
This information is necessary for sound interpretation of the plant tissue analysis.
Things to Avoid-
Do not sample the following:
-Young, emerging leaves; old, mature leaves; and seeds. These plant parts usually are not suitable because they are not likely to reflect the nutrient status of the whole plant.
-Diseased or dead plants.
-Plants that have insect or mechanical damage.
A single plant showing visual deficiency symptoms, unless it is possible to sample normal plants from an adjacent area in the field. Normal plants give a reference to help interpret the chemical analysis of the deficient plant sample.
Tissue sampling techniques for specific plants.
If the plant samples have soil, fertilizer, dust, or spray residues on them, they will need to be cleaned. A dry brush works best, but for stubborn residues, wipe the samples with a damp cloth or wash them with distilled or deionized water. However, do not prolong the washing because it can leach nutrients out of the tissue.
Air-dry the samples in the shade, not in the sun. To prevent contamination, place the dried samples into clean paper bags or envelops for mailing to the laboratory. Never place fresh plant tissue samples in plastic bags for mailing. The plastic bags do not allow the samples to dry, so they may decompose. It is also a good idea to take a soil sample in the same vicinity as the plant sample because the soil test may help to interpret the plant tissue analysis readings. Mail the samples to: Capco Analytical Services, Inc. 1536 Eastman Ave. Suite B, Ventura, CA, 93003
Provide Information with the Sample and chain of custody
When mailing samples to the laboratory, be sure to provide the following information on the chain of custody:
-Type of crop.
-Variety.
-Soil type (if known).
-Current crop fertilization and management practices (such as stand, kinds and rates of fertilizer, method of fertilizer application).
-Last year's crop fertilization practices and yield.
-Irrigation frequency and quality of irrigation water.
-Visual appearance of crop.
-Insect and disease problems (if any).
This information is necessary for sound interpretation of the plant tissue analysis.
Things to Avoid-
Do not sample the following:
-Young, emerging leaves; old, mature leaves; and seeds. These plant parts usually are not suitable because they are not likely to reflect the nutrient status of the whole plant.
-Diseased or dead plants.
-Plants that have insect or mechanical damage.
A single plant showing visual deficiency symptoms, unless it is possible to sample normal plants from an adjacent area in the field. Normal plants give a reference to help interpret the chemical analysis of the deficient plant sample.
Tissue sampling techniques for specific plants.
Crop
Alfalfa
Canola
Clover
Corn/sweet corn
Cotton
Grasses/forage mixes
Peanuts
Small grains (barley, oats, wheat, rye, rice)
Sorghum (milo)
Soybeans
Sugar beets
Sunflowers
Asparagus
Beans
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Celery
Cucumbers
Head crops(cabbage, cauliflower)
Leaf crops(such as lettuce, spinach)
Melons
Peas
Peppers
Potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Root/bulb crops(such as carrots, beets, onions)
Tomatoes (field)
Tomatoes (trellis or indeterminate)
Carnations
Chrysanthemums
Ornamental trees and shrubs
Poinsettias
Roses
Turf
Apples, pears, almonds, apricots, cherries, prunes, plums
Peaches and nectarines
Grapes
Pecans
Pistachios
Raspberries
Strawberries
Walnuts
Alfalfa
Canola
Clover
Corn/sweet corn
Cotton
Grasses/forage mixes
Peanuts
Small grains (barley, oats, wheat, rye, rice)
Sorghum (milo)
Soybeans
Sugar beets
Sunflowers
Asparagus
Beans
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Celery
Cucumbers
Head crops(cabbage, cauliflower)
Leaf crops(such as lettuce, spinach)
Melons
Peas
Peppers
Potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Root/bulb crops(such as carrots, beets, onions)
Tomatoes (field)
Tomatoes (trellis or indeterminate)
Carnations
Chrysanthemums
Ornamental trees and shrubs
Poinsettias
Roses
Turf
Apples, pears, almonds, apricots, cherries, prunes, plums
Peaches and nectarines
Grapes
Pecans
Pistachios
Raspberries
Strawberries
Walnuts
When to sample
Early bloom
Before seed set
Before bloom
Seedling stage OR Before tasseling OR Tasseling to silking
Full bloom
Stage of best quality (before seed emerges)
Before or at bloom
Seedling stage Before heading
Before or at heading
Before or at bloom
Midseason
Before heading Recently mature leaf
Maturity
Seedling stage OR Before or at bloom
Before heading
Midseason
Midseason
Before fruit set
Before heading
Midseason
Before fruit set
Before or at bloom
Midseason
Before or at bloom
Midseason or before root enlargement
Midseason before root or bulb enlargement
Midbloom
Midbloom from 1st to 6th cluster stage
Newly planted Established
Before or at bloom
Current year's growth
Before or at bloom
At bloom
Active growth
Midseason(June-July)
Midseason (June-July)
At bloom
Midseason
Mid- to late season (August)
Midseason
Midseason
(June-July)
Early bloom
Before seed set
Before bloom
Seedling stage OR Before tasseling OR Tasseling to silking
Full bloom
Stage of best quality (before seed emerges)
Before or at bloom
Seedling stage Before heading
Before or at heading
Before or at bloom
Midseason
Before heading Recently mature leaf
Maturity
Seedling stage OR Before or at bloom
Before heading
Midseason
Midseason
Before fruit set
Before heading
Midseason
Before fruit set
Before or at bloom
Midseason
Before or at bloom
Midseason or before root enlargement
Midseason before root or bulb enlargement
Midbloom
Midbloom from 1st to 6th cluster stage
Newly planted Established
Before or at bloom
Current year's growth
Before or at bloom
At bloom
Active growth
Midseason(June-July)
Midseason (June-July)
At bloom
Midseason
Mid- to late season (August)
Midseason
Midseason
(June-July)
Where to sample
Top 6 inches or upper third of plant
Recently mature leaf
Upper 1/3 of plant
All above-ground portions First fully developed leaf from the top of the plant all above-ground portions First fully developed leaf from the top of the plant Leaf opposite and below ear
Recently mature leaf from main stem
Upper 4 leaves
Recently mature leaves
All above-ground portions
4 uppermost leaf blades
2nd leaf from top of plant
Recently mature, trifoliate leaves from the top of the plant
Recently mature leaf at center of whorl
Before heading Recently mature leaf
Fern, 18-30 inches above ground line
All above-ground portions
Recently mature leaf
Recently mature leaf
Recently mature leaf
Outer petiole of recently mature leaf
Recently mature leaf
Recently mature leaf at center of whorl
Recently mature leaf
Recently mature leaf
Leaves from 3rd node from top
Recently mature leaf
3rd to 6th leaf from growing tip
3rd to 6th leaf from tip center
OR Mature leaves
Recently mature leaf
3rd to 4th leaf from growing tip
Petiole of leaf below or opposite top cluster
4th to 5th leaf pair from base
5th to 6th leaf pair from base
Top leaves on flowering stem
Recently mature leaf
Recently mature leaf
Recently mature compound leaf on flowering stem
Leaf blades. Avoid soil contamination.
Leaves from current season's nonfruiting, nonexpanding spurs
Midshoot leaflets/leaves
Petioles or leaves adjacent to basal clusters at bloom
Midshoot leaflets/leaves
Terminal leaflets from non-fruiting shoots
Recently mature leaves from laterals of primocanes
Recently mature leaves
Terminal leaflets/leaves from non-fruiting shoots
Top 6 inches or upper third of plant
Recently mature leaf
Upper 1/3 of plant
All above-ground portions First fully developed leaf from the top of the plant all above-ground portions First fully developed leaf from the top of the plant Leaf opposite and below ear
Recently mature leaf from main stem
Upper 4 leaves
Recently mature leaves
All above-ground portions
4 uppermost leaf blades
2nd leaf from top of plant
Recently mature, trifoliate leaves from the top of the plant
Recently mature leaf at center of whorl
Before heading Recently mature leaf
Fern, 18-30 inches above ground line
All above-ground portions
Recently mature leaf
Recently mature leaf
Recently mature leaf
Outer petiole of recently mature leaf
Recently mature leaf
Recently mature leaf at center of whorl
Recently mature leaf
Recently mature leaf
Leaves from 3rd node from top
Recently mature leaf
3rd to 6th leaf from growing tip
3rd to 6th leaf from tip center
OR Mature leaves
Recently mature leaf
3rd to 4th leaf from growing tip
Petiole of leaf below or opposite top cluster
4th to 5th leaf pair from base
5th to 6th leaf pair from base
Top leaves on flowering stem
Recently mature leaf
Recently mature leaf
Recently mature compound leaf on flowering stem
Leaf blades. Avoid soil contamination.
Leaves from current season's nonfruiting, nonexpanding spurs
Midshoot leaflets/leaves
Petioles or leaves adjacent to basal clusters at bloom
Midshoot leaflets/leaves
Terminal leaflets from non-fruiting shoots
Recently mature leaves from laterals of primocanes
Recently mature leaves
Terminal leaflets/leaves from non-fruiting shoots
Number to sample
12-30
60-70
30-40
15-20
15-20
12-20
40-50
30-40
40-50
25-40
25-40
.
20-30
20-30
25-30
20-30
10-30
20-30
20-30
12-20
12-20
12-20
12-20
12-20
12-20
12-20
40-60
25-50
25-30
20-30
25-35
20-30
15-20
12-20
20-30
20-30
20-30
30-70
15-20
25-30
2 cups
50-100
25-100
50-100
25-60
25-60
30-50
25-40
25-40
12-30
60-70
30-40
15-20
15-20
12-20
40-50
30-40
40-50
25-40
25-40
.
20-30
20-30
25-30
20-30
10-30
20-30
20-30
12-20
12-20
12-20
12-20
12-20
12-20
12-20
40-60
25-50
25-30
20-30
25-35
20-30
15-20
12-20
20-30
20-30
20-30
30-70
15-20
25-30
2 cups
50-100
25-100
50-100
25-60
25-60
30-50
25-40
25-40
Collecting and Preparing The Sample
If you suspect a nutrient deficiency:
1) Sample when the symptom first appears (see or Plant Deficiency Symptoms section).
2) In the same field or area, collect similar samples of plant materials from plants that appear abnormal.
3) Make sure that the symptoms are not due to a factor unrelated to plant nutrition.The parts of plants to sample depend on the plant and its growth stage. See are plant sampling techniques section below for a list of the best parts to sample for common crops. More specific sampling strategies may be necessary for cotton and peppers (chile). Also, many devices are available for a "quick test" of the plant nitrogen status.
1) Sample when the symptom first appears (see or Plant Deficiency Symptoms section).
2) In the same field or area, collect similar samples of plant materials from plants that appear abnormal.
3) Make sure that the symptoms are not due to a factor unrelated to plant nutrition.The parts of plants to sample depend on the plant and its growth stage. See are plant sampling techniques section below for a list of the best parts to sample for common crops. More specific sampling strategies may be necessary for cotton and peppers (chile). Also, many devices are available for a "quick test" of the plant nitrogen status.