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Submit A Sample

How To > Plant Tissue & Stalk Nitrate Sample

How To Submit Your

Plant Tissue & Stalk Nitrate Sample

​​Download the submittal form and make sure you include your name, address, phone number, sample ID, and desired analysis. Email address is suggested for rapid return on reports.

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Need us to diagnose a specific problem?

Please note that when diagnosing a growth problem in a specific section of a field, we recommend that two plant samples be taken — one from the area experiencing poor growth and one from an area experiencing normal growth. This allows us to analyze both samples side by side and accurately diagnose the problem. The fee to test the normal growth sample is half the regular testing fee.

  • P-2 Routine
  • P-205 P-2 + Total Carbon
  • P-12 P-2 Minus Nitrogen
  • P-3 Super Complete
  • P-4 Corn Stalk Nitrate
  • P-405 Carbon:Nitrogen Ratio
  • P-419 Cover Crop Nutrient Complete
  • P-420 Cover Crop Super Complete
  • For pricing and full list of Plant Tissue & Stalk Nitrate Analysis’ see our Pricing.
Plant Tissue
  1. When sampling for anything other than cover crops, please use the chart below to determine the correct part of the plant needed for sampling based on the crop type and growth stage. The total number of each plant type can also be found within the chart. Be sure to include the recommended number of plants per sample to ensure a representative sample and the lab has enough sample for analysis.
  2. Place samples in labeled paper bags. This allows for the plants to continue respirating while in transit. In a plastic bag, water accumulates and can cause spoilage. In a paper bag, the moisture will escape, and the plants will remain viable. If no paper bags are available, place several paper towels within a plastic bag to absorb moisture and ensure a viable sample.
  3. Include a submittal sheet with your samples in order to receive your results and notify the lab which analysis you would like ran for your samples.
  • Corn
    • Stage of Growth | Seedling stage (Less than 12″)
      • Plant Part to Sample – All the above-ground portion
      • No. of Plants to Sample – 20-30
    • Stage of Growth | Prior to tasselling
      • Plant Part to Sample – The top leaf with collar
      • No. of Plants to Sample – 15-25
    • Stage of Growth | From Tasseling to early silking
      • Plant Part to Sample – The entire leaf at the ear (or immediately below it)
      • No. of Plants to Sample – 15-25
    • Sampling after brown silk is not recommended

  • Soybeans or other beans
    • Stage of Growth | Seedling stage (less than 12”)
      • Plant Part to Sample – All the above-ground portion
      • No. of Plants to Sample – 20-30
    • Stage of Growth | Initial flowering
      • Plant Part to Sample – Two or three fully developed leaves at the top of the plant
      • No. of Plants to Sample – 20-30
    • Sampling after pods begin to fill is not recommended.

  •  
  • Milo
    • Stage of Growth | Very early heading
      • Plant Part to Sample – Second leaf from top of the plant
      • No. of Plants to Sample – 15-25

  • Alfalfa 
    • Stage of Growth | Bud stage to 1st flower
      • Plant Part to Sample – The upper ⅓ of the plant
      • No. of Plants to Sample -15-25

  • Hay, pasture, or forage grasses
    • Stage of Growth | Just prior to seed head emergence or 4 to 6 weeks after clipping
      • Plant Part to Sample – Whole tops
      • No. of Plants to Sample – 20-30
  •  
  • Small Grain
      • Stage of Growth | Seedling stage (less than 12”)
        • Plant Part to Sample – All the above-ground portion
        • No. of Plants to Sample – 50-100
      • Stage of Growth | Boot to heading
        • Plant Part to Sample – All the above-ground portion
        • No. of Plants to Sample – 20-30
      • Sampling after pods begin to fill is not recommended. 

Cover Crop Sampling Procedure
  1. When sampling cover crops, a measuring tool is helpful. Examples include a 9 square foot (3’X3’) square made of PVC pipe or a hula-hoop with a known diameter. It is important that you know the exact size of the area you sample for biomass calculations later.
  2. Toss or place your measuring tool at random in an area of the field. Cut green foliage 1 inch above the soil surface within the sampling area and place the cut sample in a large plastic bag.
  3. Collecting one random sample per 40-acre block is a good starting point. Sampling 3 or 4 areas will provide more precise per acre measurements of the cover crop yield and nutrient values.
  4. Submit each sample in a large plastic garbage bag. This allows us to account for the moisture and to calculate total dry matter and nutrient values per acre.
  5. Samples should arrive to the lab promptly to ensure accurate biomass and analytical measurements.
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