Plant tissue analysis is a valuable aid in crop management. Alone, it can be used for making fertilizer recommendations for certain crops, such as tree fruits and grapes. For other crops, plant tissue analysis in combination with soil test information is the recommended approach for diagnosing nutrient deficiencies and determining fertilizer requirements.

Samples submitted for tissue analysis will be analyzed for 10 elements: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, copper, boron, and zinc. The final report includes the analytical results along with an interpretation based on the crop specified. Standard plant analysis kits may be purchased from the county offices of Penn State Extension.

Standard Plant Analysis Kit

Service Fees

Service Fee
Plant Analysis Kit $24.00
Faxing reports (cost per page) $1.00

Individual Analyses

The following individual analyses on plant tissue samples are also available. The final report includes the analytical results without interpretations or recommendations. Samples should be submitted directly to the laboratory with the analyses desired specified. Volume discounts are available. Please contact the laboratory.

Service Fees

Service
Samples submitted unground*
Fee
* Fees listed for unground samples based on sample size of 1 pint or less. For larger sample sizes, contact the laboratory.
Complete - Acid Digestion*-Sample digestion and ICP analysis: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, B, Al, Zn, Na, S $24.00
Standard - Acid Digestion*-Sample digestion and ICP analysis only: P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, B, Al, Zn, Na, S $20.00
Trace - Acid Digestion*-Sample digestion and ICP analysis: Cd, Co, Pb, Mo, Ni $20.00/element
Nitrogen: Total N by dry combustion analysis $15.00
Carbon: Total C by dry combustion analysis $20.00

 

Service
Samples submitted ground (<20 mesh, 1 mm)**
Fee

**  Please submit samples in paper coin envelopes or other suitable container. Do not use plastic bags

Minimum 2 g sample recommended for acid digest procedure. Minimum of 1 g sample is required for total nitrogen/carbon. Minimum 4 g sample required for trace analysis.

Complete: Nitrogen plus digestion and standard ICP Analysis - N & Acid digestion: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, B, Al, Zn, Na, S $19.00
Standard - Acid Digestion-Sample digestion and ICP analysis only: P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, B, Al, Zn, Na, S $15.00
Trace - Acid Digestion-Sample digestion and ICP analysis: Cd, Co, Pb, Mo, Ni $15.00/element
Nitrogen: Total N by dry combustion analysis $10.00
Carbon: Total C by dry combustion analysis $15.00

Submitting Your Sample

Plant Analysis Submission Forms
Instructions for Taking Samples for Plant Analysis
Plant Analysis Sample Report

PDF document, 58.7 KB

Interpretive Nutrient Levels for Plant Analysis

Ag Analytical Services Lab

Address

111 Ag Analytical Srvcs Lab
University Park, PA 16802
Directions

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Ag Analytical Services Lab

Address

111 Ag Analytical Srvcs Lab
University Park, PA 16802
Directions

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM