SOIL AND PLANT ANALYSIS (1+1)

Leaf analysis and its importance

Leaf analysis

Leaf analysis (also called stem leaf analysis, tissue analysis or foliar analysis) is the most precise method of monitoring plant nutrient levels.
While soil analysis reveals the levels of essential soil nutrients, leaf analysis shows the grower exactly what the plant has successfully absorbed.
Leaf analysis is especially helpful in detecting nutrient deficiencies before they affect plant health and yield.

Importance
Chemical analysis of plant foliage is an important tool for establishing and maintaining a proper fertilizer programme in soil fertility management especially for fruit plantings.
Leaf analysis can be used to confirm or diagnose a problem associated with a nutrient shortage or excess, and more importantly to prevent the development of a nutrient disorder in crops.
It would also reveal that certain fertilizers being used are not necessary and results in the most economical fertilizer programme.
Analysis must be properly taken.
In other instances, a series of analyses may be necessary to arrive at a proper explanation.
Paired comparisons, one from normal and one from the abnormal condition, are frequently helpful.
Foliar analyses made over a period of years can indicate an approaching deficiency of a nutrient element before the plant shows any visible symptoms.
It is possible then, through proper corrective fertilizer applications, to prevent the deficiency from ever occurring in the crop. B
y the same token, it is possible to learn when an element may be increasing in a crop toward a level that will reduce crop quality or bring about some other undesirable effect.
When this condition is known, steps can be taken to alter the fertilizer programme and cultural practices that influence the uptake of the element from the soil.