plant tissue analysis for testing nutrients deficiency in banana next end

Plant tissue analysis for testing

nutrients deficiency in

Banana

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Plant tissue analysis for testing nutrients deficiency in Banana

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Introduction:

Tissue analysis are used to identify the deficiency symptoms and to determine nutrient shortage before they appear as symptoms.

A plant's ability to take up adequate nutrients is influenced by many factors such as soil fertility level, soil temperature, soil compaction, soil moisture, nutrient applications, and nutrient balance in the soil, plant genetics, and many other factors.

It’s a unique method to determine the nutrient status of a particular plant.


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Importance of plant tissue analysis

The importance of plant tissue analysis is given as following:

1. A plant's ability to take up adequate nutrients is influenced by many factors such as soil fertility level, soil temperature, soil compaction, soil moisture, nutrient applications, and nutrient balance in the soil, plant genetics, and many other factors.

2. A chemical soil test cannot accurately account for all of these factors.3. A producer must use plant analysis if he expects to identify and

understand the nutrient efficiency and needs of his crops and soils.

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5. Once visual symptoms are seen, crop yields and quality have already been compromised. Plant analysis is an important part of planning future fertility programs.

4. Only plant analysis can tell us the actual nutrient status of the crop. Plant analysis can be used to detect low nutrient levels in plants before they are seen by the human eye.


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Two general types of plant tissues analysis have been used:

Tests on fresh tissue in the field.Tissue analysis performed in the laboratory.

Tests on fresh tissue in the field. Tissue analysis performed in the laboratory.


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Plant analyses are based on the principle that the amount of a given nutrient in a plant is related to the nutrient availability in the soil.

Since a shortage of a nutrient will limit growth, other nutrients may accumulate, regardless of their supply.

For example, if corn is low in NO3 , the P content may be high.

There is no indication, however, that if adequate N were supplied the supply of P would be adequate.


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Tissue tests and plant analyses are made for the following reasons:

To help identify deficiency symptoms and to determine nutrient shortage before they appear as symptoms.To aid in determining the nutrient supplying capacity of the soilThey are employed in conjunction with soil tests and management strategy.To aid in determining the effect of fertility treatments in the nutrient supply to the plant.To study the relationship between the nutrient status of the plant and crop performance in terms of yield and quality.


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Tissue Tests:

Rapid tests for the determination of nutrients in fresh tissue are important in diagnosing the nutrient needs of growing plants.

The concentration of nutrients in the cell sap is usually a good indication of how well the plant is supplied at the time of testing.

Through tissue testing, it is possible to anticipate or forecast certain production problems while the crop is still in the field.


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General Methods:The plant parts to be chopped up and extracted with reagents in one method.The intensity of the color developed is compared with standards and used as a measure of the supply of the nutrient.In another more rapid test, plant tissue is squeezed with pliers to transfer plant sap to filter paper and color developing reagents are added.The resulting color is compared with a standard chart that indicates very low, low, medium, or high nutrient content.Semi quantitative values for the N, P, and K status of a plant can be obtained in about a minute.Tissue tests are easy to conduct and interpret, and many tests can be made in a few minutes.Because laboratory tests take longer, there is a tendency to guess rather than send samples to the laboratory.


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Application of nutrients to correct a nutrient stress identified with a tissue test may not be feasible because

The deficiency may have already caused yield loss

The crop may not respond to the applied nutrient at the specific growth stage tested.

The crop may be too large to apply nutrients

Climate conditions may be unfavorable for fertilization and/ or for the crop to benefit for nutrient additions.


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Plant parts testing:

•Leaf tissue testing:

It is essential to test the part of the plant that will give the best indication of the nutritional status.In general, the conductive tissue of the latest matured leaf is used for testing, while immature leaves at the top of the plant are avoided

Tropical Fruit Crops

Stage of Growth

Plant Part No. of Plants

Banana At maturity 1/3 on either side of midrib of leaf

5 to 10


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Selection of leaf


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Removal of plant leaf tissue


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Recommended levels of elements in banana leaf tissue.Recommended levels of elements in banana leaf tissue.ElementElement SymbolSymbol Range Range

(suggested)(suggested)Nitrogen N 2.8 – 3.1%Phosphorous P 0.18 – 0.20%Potassium K 3.2 – 3.5%Calcium Ca 0.6 – 1.0%Magnesium Mg 0.3 – 0.6%Sulfur S 0.22 – 0.25%Iron Fe 50 – 100 ppmManganese Mn 30 – 100 ppmCopper Cu 10 – 15 ppmZinc Zn 25 – 40 ppmBoron B 15 – 25 ppm

Sources: Soil Fertility Handbook, Oklahoma State University


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Time of Testing

The plant growth stage is important in tissue testing, because nutrient status and demand changes during the season.

Although the most critical growth stage for tissue is at bloom or from bloom to the early fruiting stage, recent information shows that in high yielding corn there are two distinct peak periods of potential maximum utilization of nutrients will be useful to monitor adequacy of nutrient supply.

The first peak occurs during vegetative growth stages V12 to V18 when ear size and number of kernels are being established at the same time as photosynthetic reserves are accumulating in the stalk and leaves.

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The time of day can influence the NO 3 level in plants; this nutrient is usually higher in the morning than in the afternoon if the supply is short.It accumulates at night and is utilized during the day as carbohydrates are synthesized.Therefore, tests should not be made in early morning or late afternoon.A few points related to tissue tests are as follows:

Follow the uptake of nutrients through the season by testing five or six times.Nutrient levels should be higher in the early season when the plant is not under stress.There can be two peak periods of nutrient demand.

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The first is during maximum vegetative growth, and the second is during the reproductive stage.To determine the adequacy of the fertilization program, these are the optimum times for tissue testing; however, at the later peak period, it is generally too late for corrective action.Comparison of plants in a field is helpful.Test plants from deficient areas and compare them with plants from normal areas.Number plants to be analyzed vary from plant to plant Analysis can be done with 10 to 15 plants and the results, averaged.


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Interpretation:

Important factors in sampling and interpreting results from tissue tests are:

General performance and vigour of the plants. Levels of other nutrients in the plants. Incidence of insects or diseases.Soil conditions such as moisture, aeration, structure and climatic conditions.

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At bloom stage, a medium to high test result is adequate in most crops.

If a plant appears to be discolored or stunted and the tissue tests high for N, P and K then some other factor is limiting growth.

Only after this condition has been corrected, tissue tests can reveal which plant nutrients may be limiting growth.

Generally, low to medium test results for N, P or K in the early part of the growing season mean that the yield will be considerably less than optimum.


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To Sum up

Plant tissues analysis takes part of the plant that will give the best indication of the nutritional status.

Mainly two methods are followed in plant tissues analysis and based on that status to give recommendation and interpretation.

Normally a chemical soil test cannot accurately determine the nutrient status.

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