Agronomic Services — Plant Tissue Analysis

Kristin A. Hicks, Ph.D., section chief

Plant tissue analysis can indicate whether plants contain the concentrations of essential nutrients necessary for optimum growth. Results help growers monitor nutrient uptake, correct deficiencies before they reach a critical stage and, for some crops, time harvest appropriately.

Note: Plant tissue analysis does not include analysis of forage plants for use as animal feed. Feed analysis is provided through the NCDA&CS Food & Drug Protection Division.

Standard Analysis includes: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, sodium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, boron and aluminum.

Standard fee per sample:

NC* growers $5
NC* researchers $12
Non-NC growers or researchers $25

*Samples qualify for the in-state rate if they originated in North Carolina. Research samples require an annual research agreement prior to submission. All research samples receive a 10% analysis recheck for quality control at no added cost.

Extra tests available at $2 each:

Molybdenum (Mo)
Chloride (Cl)
Nitrate- nitrogen (NO3-N).

Note: petiole NO3-N is a required test for strawberry and cotton samples. Molybdenum is a required test for Brassicas, spinach, poinsettia and alfalfa.

How to collect and submit a plant tissue sample	Plant Sample Information Form updated! Pictorial Guide to Plant Tissue Sampling
How to find and interpret your report	Report Search (PALS) Sample Turnaround Times Understanding the Plant Tissue Report Plant Tissue Analysis Guide
Plant Tissue Analysis Methodology	NCDA&CS Plant/Waste/Solution/Media Analytical Procedures Plant Analysis Reference Procedures for the Southern Region of the United States
Plant Tissue Sampling Quick Guides	Blackberry Raspberry Tissue Sampling Handout Blueberry Tissue Sampling Handout Corn Tissue Sampling Handout Fraser Fir Tissue Sampling Handout Peach Tissue Sampling Handout Pine Tissue Sampling Handout Tobacco Tissue Sampling Handout Turf Tissue Sampling Handout Wheat Tissue Sampling Handout
Sample Containers	Sample containers are not available by mail. Pick up mailing envelopes for plant tissue samples at any county Cooperative Extension office or at the Agronomic Division office in Raleigh. Samples can also be submitted in paper bags. DO NOT PUT PLANT SAMPLES IN PLASTIC BAGS.
Other Useful References	Plant Tissue Samples: Proper Handling Sampling for Plant Analysis Understanding the Plant Tissue Report for Cotton Plant Tissue Analysis (descriptive brochure) Submitting Samples for Problem Diagnosis Cornstalk Testing to Evaluate Nitrogen Management Using Tissue Analysis to Monitor Cotton Nutrition Tissue Sampling & Analysis for Greenhouse Tomatoes Strawberry Tissue Analysis Harvesting Tobacco Based on Tissue Analysis Production Tools for Tobacco Growers Wheat Tissue Samples Assure Proper Spring Nitrogen Rate Nitrogen Management for Small Grains Strawberry Fertility Manual NCSU Floriculture Deficiency Series [not pdf ] Reference Sufficiency Ranges for Plant Analysis in the Southern Region of the United States

Many of the publications accessible from this page are published in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. Click here to download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat reader.

Last Update January 31, 2018