Seeing a Poor Spot in Your Field? Take a Tissue Sample to Find Out Why!

by | May 22, 2024 | Uncategorized

An image showcasing Canola crop in a field with a magnified view of a plant tissue sample being collected by a farmer, representing the concept of tissue sampling for crop health improvement.

In-season, odd cases of crop growth, changes in color, or unusual patterns can become visible in the field. These cases can puzzle even experienced growers. To help with investigating and eliminating possible threats to future yields, it is always helpful to talk to a local agronomist. They can take tissue or soil samples and, based on lab tests, provide the best advice. Sometimes, in-season samples help distinguish areas in the field that need specific treatment or should be managed differently this year or in future.

Tissue sampling is a great approach to improving your crop in many ways. When can tissue sampling be beneficial for the grower?

    1. Obviously, if the crop shows specific signs of nutrient deficiency or toxicity, having the test can provide a direct solution to the problem in many cases.
    2. Stunted crop growth in some areas of the field. Comparing samples from “good” and “bad” areas is the key to identifying the issue.
    3. The crop looks great, and the quality of the yield can be improved with in-season applications. Adding more nitrogen (N) prior to flowering can improve protein content.
    4. Avoid over-application to crops that cannot utilize the nutrients due to some reasons this season. Some micronutrient or macronutrient deficiencies may prevent the crop from using extra nitrogen applications.
    5. Concerned about environmental impact? This is where tissue sampling can help understand if current crop conditions and nutrient needs can be improved with extra fertilizer. Applying more mobile nutrients would reduce cost efficiency and cause some nutrients to be lost.

    Tissue samples should be taken from specific parts of the plant and stored properly to avoid contamination and alter the results. To get the best outcome, we always recommend asking for help from a local agronomist. Our team has experienced local agronomists in all Prairie Provinces of Canada who know the growing conditions and specifics of the soils and climate that affect crops. An abundance of knowledge in variable rate fertility helps achieve the best science-driven results.