Sampling Strawberry Leaves For Nutrient Analysis

Jun 24, 2015

By Kathleen Demchak

When growers send in strawberry leaves for a nutrient analysis, should the petioles remain attached or be removed?

Whether you are in matted-row or plasticulture production, please be sure to remove the petioles from strawberry leaf samples that you send in to labs.

The standards were developed from leaf blades without the petioles. The next question is, "But does it matter?"

Sampling Strawberry Leaves for Nutrient Analysis

Here is a shortened repeat of an article from 2003 when we had analyzed many samples (nearly 200) to answer questions regarding strawberry tissue analyses.

Instructions included with plant analysis kits do state to remove the petioles, but a discussion with lab personnel at the Penn State Plant Analysis Lab revealed that nearly all strawberry samples received from growers have consisted of the leaf petiole plus blade.

We collected samples of separate petioles and blades to determine whether this discrepancy makes a significant difference in sample results (i.e., could cause incorrect diagnoses). There was a significant difference in the nutrient concentrations in petioles and leaves, plus the petiole is a fairly large proportion of the dry weight, so incorrect interpretations could easily result due to a failure to remove the petioles from samples sent in for a nutrient test.

The nitrogen concentration in the petioles was half that in the leaf blades, while the potassium concentration was double. Other elemental concentrations which varied widely between petioles and leaf blades were manganese and the micronutrients manganese, iron, copper, boron, and zinc. The percentage of dry weight of the sample that the petiole comprised ranged from 12% with 'Earliglow' in samples early in the season, to 30% with 'Sweet Charlie' in samples taken later. Therefore, if the petiole is included as part of the sample, it would be easy for deficiencies to be diagnosed that don't exist, or to be missed when in fact present.

Source: psu.edu

Video: Residue Management

Residue Management conservation practice manages the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round while limiting soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled prior to planting. This video explores how Ryan McKenzie implemented this conservation practice on his farm in Samson, Alabama.

Practice benefits:

• Increases organic matter

• Improves air quality

• Decreases energy costs

• Reduces erosion

• Improves soil health

The Conservation at Work video series was created to increase producer awareness of common conservation practices and was filmed at various locations throughout the country. Because conservation plans are specific to the unique resource needs on each farm and also soil type, weather conditions, etc., these videos were designed to serve as a general guide to the benefits of soil and water conservation and landowners should contact their local USDA office for individual consultation.