Rohan,

Plant analysis and soil analysis are entirely different. Soil is hub of all the nutrients but plant take up only required element for its metabolism. Kindly refer standard manual which u can find it in nearby agricultural university.

Ragards

Dear Rohan,

I suggest you to consult the following books/ manuals for detailed methods of soil and plant tissue analysis:

Tandon HLS, Ed. (1993) Methods of Analysis of Soils, Plants, Waters, Fertilisers and Organic Manures. Fertiliser Development and Consultation Organisation, 204-204A Bhanot Corner, 1-2 Pamposh Enclave New Delhi - 110048.

Dwivedi BS, Dhyan Singh and Chhonkar PK (2010) Manual on Soil, Plant and Water Analysis. 3rd Edition. Westville Publishing House, New Delhi.

Hi Rohan. In this type of analysis you must take into account the correlation of concentration of nutrients in the soil with nutrient concentration in leaves is feasible in some cases, while in others no. For example, if you fertilize one get higher crop growth. The greatest growth can cause dilution effect occurs in leaf tissues, which causes the decrease in concentration in leaves and keep a high concentration in the soil. regards

Thank you for suggestions on books and reference materials. A lot is available on the web however to ensure credibility, experienced views always help. 

Thank you Rodolfo, sir this suggestion is particularly helpful. And I ll take into account the dilution effect by considering absolute weight rather than concentration. 

OK. You need at your disposal. regards

Appropriate methods of PLANT TISSUE ANALYSIS , we can find through those sources , our colleagues have already suggested , but do we interpret the tissue analysis data in relation to different annual and perennial crops and  , is  a much relevant issue, we can debate...?

Plant analysis  the best tool for computing  nutrient uptake , since accumulation of different nutrients in index plant parts ( called sampling technique to be worked out for time of sampling , position of plant parts , frequency of sampling etc) is an  indicator of metabolically active fraction of nutrients that have been pumped up by the plant from different pools of nutrients in the soil. Whether  a given concentration of nutrient is sufficient fro normal plant functions , we need to standardise in relation to different crops and major soils , to say the least. 

Dear Dr. Anil Kumar Singh,

In the determination of Zn by AAS method, we measure the absorbance of  radiation (213.9 nm) emitted by the hollow cathode lamp of Zn rather than the intensity of any colour.

Regarding chemical analysis of leaves at different crop stages, Dr. Rohan may choose the appropriate index tissue for chemical analysis following necessary protocols to avoid  contamination of the samples collected from fields.

High-quality diagnostic soil, plant, and water-testing programs are required to achieve optimum agricultural production and to minimize negative environmental impacts. While soil fertility assessments and field-calibrated nutrient recommendations have been tremendously successful during the past half-century, resulting in self-reliance in food production and food security, the present-day diagnostic testing programs require sophisticated instrumentation and methods to simultaneously ensure environmental sustainability of nutrient cycling through rural and urban agricultural operations and natural ecosystems.

Recommendations made for nutrient applications have traditionally focused on economic yield and quality. However, present-day testing procedures and recommendations are required to simultaneously ensure economical and environmental sustainability of agricultural production systems. A soil test is a calibrated index relating crop response to applied nutrients. Any application rate devoid of an economical response in yield or quality is deemed unnecessary. Therefore, a soil test becomes the first step in any nutrient best management practice (BMP) development, implementation, and monitoring activity. Certain significant areas in Florida, such as calcareous soils, require development of calibrated soil tests rather urgently. Nutrient sufficiency of perennial crops and deficiency diagnostics can be gauged through in-season plant tissue testing. Nutrient delivery for correcting the deficiency through foliar sprays is not always effective, and may require multiple applications. Spectral reflectance methods show significant promise as an alternative to traditional wet chemistry analyses with regard to ease, costs, and speed with wider range of applications, including natural resources. Additional research is needed to develop this technology for field-scale applications. Current research is focusing on environmental nutrient management to include nutrient sources, application rates and timing, nutrient uptake efficiency, retention capacity of soils, estimating and minimizing nutrient losses to the environment, etc. Nutrient loss assessments tools such as the Florida phosphorus (P) index and bahia (Paspalum notatum) and citrus (Citrus spp.) tests for P are now being made possible in Florida through integration of soil and tissue testing methods. Development and improvements of such analytical methods and tools specific to Florida to include other nutrients, heavy metals, soil capacity, and ecosensitive regions, is vital to ensure sustainability to the state's tourism, agriculture, and urban-rural balance. (Source : Mylavarapu 2010. Hortechnology 20: 19-28)

Dear all I am looking for the best method for Total nitrogen and total phosphorus analysis from plant tissues. So if any one can send me the protocols with [email protected]. thanks,