Leaf Testing Vital To Monitor Crop Health

A finely-tuned nutrition management system is important to ensure high yield cropping systems achieve maximum potential.

To achieve this, the crop must be carefully monitored to ensure the plant’s nutritional requirements are met. Leaf sampling at crucial stages of plant development gives a valuable insight into the plant’s nutritional status and offers an opportunity to make timely corrective measures that will maximise crop production.

Plant tissue analysis is a more reliable means of assessing plant nutrient status than trying to predict from a soil test which nutrients the plant might take up from the soil. Tissue analysis provides a ‘still picture’ of what the plant has been capable of taking up. Nutrient deficiencies can then be addressed through an efficient foliar programme.

Independent laboratories can assist growers with advice on “how and when” to take leaf samples. Mantissa works closely with Hill Laboratories Ltd - a respected company that produces a comprehensive guide to soil and plant analysis that includes up-to-date information and instructions for field sampling and interpretations of leaf analysis.

Because leaf testing provides a timely opportunity to correct nutrient deficiencies, it is vital that growers use totally-utilised, 100% soluble, 100% plant-available formulations for uninterrupted plant development.