Utilizing Leaf Tissue Analysis and Plant Bio Analytics

The best method for determining if and how much extra nitrogen or other nutritional components are required to produce the projected yields is leaf tissue testing, commonly known as plant Bio Analytics. Testing on leaf tissue can assist in locating any potential "hidden hunger" in the crop. A crop has "hidden hunger" when it requires more of a specific nutrient but doesn't exhibit any outward signs of a lack. The chemical assessment of essential element concentrations in plant tissue is done through the testing of leaf tissue. Those components that are necessary for the plant to complete its lifespan are considered essential. Since the atmosphere and water both provide these components, they are not typically regarded as limitations. Growers need to concentrate on the necessary components that the soil or feeding solutions provide. The most important nutrients are called macronutrients and include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S). Small amounts of the micronutrients iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), boron (B), molybdenum (Mo), and chlorine (Cl) are needed.

Micronutrient toxicity is just as significant and can reduce yield as deficiencies do. Micronutrient toxicity can be accurately identified through plant Bio Analytics. Based on the idea that healthy plants have predictable concentrations of vital elements, plant Bio Analytics data are to be interpreted. To help with fertilizer application decisions, Auburn University's Soil Testing, Forage and Water Testing Lab can provide nitrogen concentrations as well as those of the other macro- and micronutrients of the plant components. You may improve your reproductive programme and address deficiencies before symptoms show up with a regimen of routine leaf tissue sampling and Bio Analytics.

Describe More

For the most economically significant vegetable crops, the best indicator samples have been found. As a result, we can now compare the values from our research to those of established, acknowledged values using the data that has been developed as a result. These are also known as Critical Values or Sufficiency Ranges. Indicator samples have been categorized according to growth stage for crops like tomatoes that have the most research backing. For plant tissue samples obtained at the midpoint of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth flower clusters in the tomato plant, sufficiency ranges have been developed. The concentration at which there is a 5–10% yield loss is known as the critical value. There is little usefulness in using crucial values for practical interpretation. It is best used to identify severe deficits and is rarely useful in detecting covert hunger. When nutrient concentrations fall below the threshold value, symptoms are typically clearly visible.

The lower bounds of sufficiency ranges are established in large part by critical values.

Over the use of critical values, sufficiency range interpretation offers a number of significant benefits. First, since the beginning of the sufficiency range is unmistakably above the crucial threshold, hidden hunger in plants can be located. There are upper limits to sufficiency ranges as well, which give a hint as to the concentration at which the element might be in excess.

Collecting Leaf Tissue Samples for Bio Analytics: A Method

• To ascertain the levels of foliar nutrients, a specific equivalent plant part is gathered from each vegetable crop. This usually entails selecting only freshly grown or completely expanded leaves for sample. The usefulness of plant Bio Analytics as a diagnostic tool is guaranteed by careful sampling. The optimum indicator samples for main crops have been determined based on growth stage. The entire plant is tested from new seedlings at a height of one inch above the earth. The most recent completely grown or mature leaf is the best predictor of nutrient status for bigger plants. The leaf next to the topmost fruit is the best sign of nutritional condition as some crops, like maize, approach blooming and fruiting (ear leaf). It is generally acceptable to choose the most recent mature leaf as the greatest predictor of nutritional condition when unsure of the sampling technique for a particular crop.

• Test between 20 and 30 plants.

• Avoid trouble areas by sampling from various rows throughout the field (low spots, ridges, washed out areas, etc.).

• A sample taken during the plants' active growth (typically between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.).

• Don't take samples from plants that are under water stress.

• Samples should be sent in a paper bag to the AU Soil, Forage, and Water Testing Lab. Samples should not be sent in plastic bags. Your samples will degrade and the results will be impacted by plastic bags. For instructions on how to send leaf tissue samples to your state diagnostic labs, get in touch with your local Extension office.

Conclusion

A biotech business called Verne Bioanalytics is working to offer rapid, scalable genetic and pathogen testing for the agricultural market, with cannabis as the current target market. Our goal is to be able to assist all farmers, no matter how big or small, with their risk, production, and financial situation. The business's platform gives farmers the ability to detect particular levels of infection with quantitative results, risk, productivity, and financial results. It also offers a plant genetic and disease testing kit with customisable diagnostic choices.