Plant Tissue Testing

[Phil P]

Ok, so I’ve seen tissue testing mentioned on multiple threads and I’m wondering how it been done?
Is there a kit available or are you sending to a lab or through your agronomist?

Also N testing is this just done through how much chlorophyl is in the leaf or is there another test?
Can it be done in the field?

I have a few patches in some fields that seem poor for no apparent reason, same soil type, drainage etc as the rest of the field but never does just as well as the rest of the field. This has probably shown more this year so was wondering about doing some tissue testing and see if something is lacking compared to other parts of the field.

Thanks

 

[Wombat]

When I have done some I just cut a bag full with some scissors then drop it in at Lancrop in pocklington and they email me the results back. Same with soil samples.

 

[Steevo]

Same here. Pull off some leaves and drop into the local lab. Not done any for a while though. Worth asking the lab which leaves they want - I'm unsure whether old and new leaves are quite the same.

Be careful with the results too - just because one element is short at that moment it may not necessarily translate to an issue. Best to build up a picture over time I think.

Don't forget shortages of one nutrient can also affect the ability of the plant to absorb others too.

 

[Luke Cropwalker]

Always start with the basics, are you sure drainage, pH and compaction aren't an issue. Don't just assume actually look and test.

 

[Zippy768]

Ok, so I’ve seen tissue testing mentioned on multiple threads and I’m wondering how it been done?
Is there a kit available or are you sending to a lab or through your agronomist?

Also N testing is this just done through how much chlorophyl is in the leaf or is there another test?
Can it be done in the field?

I have a few patches in some fields that seem poor for no apparent reason, same soil type, drainage etc as the rest of the field but never does just as well as the rest of the field. This has probably shown more this year so was wondering about doing some tissue testing and see if something is lacking compared to other parts of the field.

Thanks

The tissue testing only shows a snapshot of the plant at that particular moment in time. I think it's kind of a long term thing, to build up a picture of what your crops are doing before any conclusions can be made

 

[Phil P]

The tissue testing only shows a snapshot of the plant at that particular moment in time. I think it's kind of a long term thing, to build up a picture of what your crops are doing before any conclusions can be made

This is why I’m wondering how people are doing it themselves, I’d imagine it will get quite expensive sending multiple samples to a lab every couple of weeks!
I’m not even sure if there’s a lab locally that would do the testing.

 

[Steevo]

This is why I’m wondering how people are doing it themselves, I’d imagine it will get quite expensive sending multiple samples to a lab every couple of weeks!
I’m not even sure if there’s a lab locally that would do the testing.

Your agronomist may likely able to help out here. Mine does a few samples himself across the season on different farms - helps build up a picture of what's different and thus potentially farm related, and what is more related to the season.

Worth asking.

 

[cricketandcrops]

This is why I’m wondering how people are doing it themselves, I’d imagine it will get quite expensive sending multiple samples to a lab every couple of weeks!
I’m not even sure if there’s a lab locally that would do the testing.

most post samples into lab at Pocklington, if you email [email protected] explaining you want to send some tissue tests in they will send you order book, sample bags and postage bags, you then take sample and bung in post box

 

[Brisel]

I use NRM as my buying group has an account there. Usual advice is to cut the whole plant above ground. Avoid getting any soil in the sample and remove any dead or dying leaves. Put them in an airtight bag (and fill it up as they will need a bit to work with) and get them in the post to the lab ASAP.

As above, they will just show a snapshot of what's going on in the plant at any one point in time. I'd take a sample from a better bit of the field as a comparison & consider a pair of soil samples too. @Luke Cropwalker is right - check the obvious signs like compaction etc too.

I can't comment about N samples though the tissue test will show that. If the main deficiency/toxicity is water, you'll get a very skewed result. Bad information driving bad decisions is worse than no information at all.

 

[Phil P]

I use NRM as my buying group has an account there. Usual advice is to cut the whole plant above ground. Avoid getting any soil in the sample and remove any dead or dying leaves. Put them in an airtight bag (and fill it up as they will need a bit to work with) and get them in the post to the lab ASAP.

As above, they will just show a snapshot of what's going on in the plant at any one point in time. I'd take a sample from a better bit of the field as a comparison & consider a pair of soil samples too. @Luke Cropwalker is right - check the obvious signs like compaction etc too.

I can't comment about N samples though the tissue test will show that. If the main deficiency/toxicity is water, you'll get a very skewed result. Bad information driving bad decisions is worse than no information at all.

Thanks, are you just testing crops where you think there could be an issue or do you test everything? How many test do you think you’d need through the season to get a good picture of what’s happening?

 

[PSQ]

Are the patches showing up year after year?
Two soil samples sent for broad spectrum analysis would be a safer bet. One from the poor patch and another from a good area nearby.
Chances are it’s something like a localised area of low pH, which wouldn’t be picked up on a tissue analysis.