1) Plant tissue testing helps monitor crop nutrient status for optimal production, ensure balanced nutrient levels for quality produce, and predict nutrient problems to avoid losses. Samples should be taken when symptoms first appear from similar abnormal plants. 2) Information provided with samples includes crop type, variety, soil type, fertilization history, irrigation, and visual appearance. Young, old, diseased or damaged plants should be avoided. 3) Proper sampling techniques vary by crop, such as collecting the upper 1/3 of cotton plants before bloom or recently mature soybean leaves from the top of plants. Timely sampling and handling is important to get the best results.

1. RAPID PLANT TISSUE TEST
Submitted To:
Dr. Ravinder
Assistant professor of
soil science and
chemistry,
Abhilashi University,
Mandi,Himachal
Submitted By:
Vinod bharti
B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture
3rd year/5th sem.

2. INTRODUCTION
The nutrient content of a plant can be assessed by
testing a sample of tissue from that plant. These
test are important in agriculture since fertilizer
application can be fine tuned if the plant nutrient
status is known.

3. HOW TISSUE TESTING HELP US
 Monitoring crop nutrient status for optimal
crop production.
 Ensuring balanced plant nutrient levels for
top produce quality.
 Predicting plant nutrient problems during the
growing season to avoid production loss.
 Understanding interaction between the soil
and plant nutrient uptake.

4. COLLECTING THE SAMPLE
If suspect a nutrient deficiency.
 Sample when the symptom first appear.
 In the same field or area, collect similar
sample of plant materials from plant that
appear abnormal.
 Make sure that the symptoms are not due to
a factor unrelated to plant nutrition.

5. PROVIDE INFORMATION WITH THE SAMPLE
 Type of crop.
 Variety.
 Soil type (if known).
 Current crop fertilization and management
practices.
 Last year’s crop fertilization practices and yield.
 Irrigation frequency and quality of water.
 Visual appearance of crop.
 Insect and disease problem (if any).

6. THINGS TO AVOID
Do not sample the following.
 Young, emerging leaves; old mature leaves:
and seeds. These plant part 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.

7. TISSUE SAMPLING TECHNIQUE FOR SOM CROPS
Crop When to sample where to sample Number to
sample
cotton Before bloom Upper 1/3 of plant 30-40
soybean Before or at bloom Recently mature,
trifoliate leaves
from the top of the
plant.
20-30
sorghum Before heading 2nd leaf from top of
the plant.
20-30

8. GENERAL SYMPTOMS OF NPK DEFICIENCY IN
PLANTS
Nutrient Deficiency symptoms
Nitrogen Plant light green, lower leaves yellow to light brown,
stalks short and slender plant stunted.
Phosphorus Plant dark green, often developing red and purple
pigment; lower leaves sometimes yellow; plants
stunted.
Potassium Spots of dead tissue, usually at the tip and between
the veins; marked margin leaves.

9. SUFFICINCY RANGES OF NPK FOR FIVE
SELECTIVE CROPS
crop N(%) P (%) K (%)
corn 2.70 - 4.00 0.25 – 0.50 1.70 – 3.00
wheat 1.75 – 3.00 0.21 – 0.50 1.50 – 3.00
soybean 4.00 – 5.50 0.26 – 0.50 1.70 – 2.50
Cucumber 4.50 – 6.00 0.34 – 0.75 2.90 – 5.00
tomatoes 4.50 – 6.00 0.25 – 0.75 2.90 – 5.00

10. LABORATORY PROCEDURE FOR ANALYZING
PLANT TISSUE SAMPLE
Step Actions
1 Preliminary preparation
• Drying, grinding, and mixing plant tissue
2 Destruction of organic matrix
• strong acids or very high temperature are used during this step
3 Analysis of mineral residue for nutrient content
• many different techniques can be used for this step

11. TIPS FOR GETTING THE BEST POSSIBLE RESULT
FROM PLANT TISSUE TESTING
1. Time it right: To have an effect on this growing
season, corn plants should be in the 8- to 12-leaf
stage, soybean plants can be submitted from 4-8
inches tall and alfalfa from 6 inches to flowering. To
get a picture of the soil's full ability to supply
essential nutrients, sample when the plants are
absorbing the greatest quantity of nutrients (i.e.
plant reproduction). Use these results to modify
nutrient applications for next year's growing season

12. 2. Select the best, most representative
samples. Never select diseased, drought stressed or
damaged plants. Pick plants that most closely
represent actual field conditions.
3. Collect the proper plant part and amounts. Pick
at least half a lunch bag full of plants and choose
leaves from the middle of the plant. Never send bottom
leaves or immature leaves.
4. Handle the samples properly. Label your sample
bags, make sure the labels match your submittal forms
and send them promptly. If possible, collect and ship
the samples the same day. If not, store samples in a
refrigerator.

13. Plant tissue analysis should be a routine part of every
crop producer's nutrient management program as a
way to accurately measure a crop's health and
optimize production.

14. THANK YOU