Biotech Updates

Plant Analysis for Corn: A Valuable Monitoring and Diagnostic Tool

June 24, 2011

Dave Mengel of Kansas State Research and Extension soil fertility specialist has put together a protocol for analyzing how the plant use applied nutrients and how to manage secondary and micronutrients. He itemized the procedure on the general monitoring for quality control purposes that producers should do, taking note that sampling leaves under stress conditions may give misleading results and therefore not recommended.

Dr. Mengel gave tips on using plant analysis to diagnose field problems, the procedure and precautions involved; things to know in conducting plant samples analysis for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, zinc, chloride and iron; and the significance of low or high nutrient value in the samples as indication of soil fertility conditions.

The news can be viewed at http://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/story/plant_analysis062111.aspx