ABSTRACT
Plant analysis is used as a means of determining and evaluating the essential plant nutrient element status of the plant, a procedure that involves a series of steps as illustrated in Figure 17.1.
Plant analysis objectives include
• Veriƒcation of an elemental insufƒciency (deƒcient or excess) • Evaluation of the elemental status of the soil/crop environment • Determination of essential element needs for the sampled plant • Crop logging to monitor changes in elemental status of a plant with time • Determining the content of nonessential elements in the plant that may
affect its growth or utilization • As a basis for a fertilizer recommendation for that crop or future crops
A plant analysis is carried out in a series of four steps:
1. Sampling 2. Sample preparation 3. Laboratory analysis 4. Interpretation
Each step in the sequence is equally important to the success of the technique. A diagram of this sequence is given in Figure 17.1.
