Why follow a soil/tissue fertilizer program?
By analyzing the soil you can determine what your soil currently has and what fertilizer needs to be applied for a specific crop. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are not the only nutrients a crop needs. If the micro nutrients are over looked and not applied crop yields will be reduced.

By analyzing the plant tissue and petiole at the different growth stages you can determine what your crop needs to keep it nutritionally balanced. Each crop has different nutrient needs at different stages of its development. Why put down 60 pounds of nitrogen when your crop is deficient in boron or zinc?

How important are the micronutrient?
If your crop does not have adequate amounts of micronutrients, such as zinc, boron or copper, your crop may become malnourish resulting in crop yield reduction. Your crop may also use more nitrogen and phosphorus than it really requires because it does not know what else to do. By adding the micronutrients to your crop as well as scientifically monitoring your fields to prevent deficiencies/toxicities, your crop should become nutritionally balance. Then your crop should use less fertilizer and your fields have increased yields.

When to Sample On a Per Field Basis
(other crops available upon request)

Alfalfa
-One complete soil analysis done once a year on established fields or before planting
-Complete tissue and petiole phosphate analysis at every other cut when the alfalfa is at 10% bloom

Chile Peppers
-One complete soil analysis at preplant
-Complete tissue and petiole nitrate/phosphate analysis at the following growth stages: early growth, early fruit and mature

Cantaloupes/Honeydew
-One complete soil analysis at preplant
-Complete tissue and petiole nitrate/phosphate analysis at the following growth stages: early growth, first fruit, second fruit and mature

Corn
-One complete soil analysis at preplant
-Complete tissue and soil nitrate analysis at the following growth stages: early 12”, 18-48”, 48-72”, early leaf at tassel and pollination to early milk

Cotton
-One complete soil analysis at preplant
-Complete tissue and petiole nitrate/phosphate analysis at the following growth stages: first square, first bloom, peak bloom and open boll
-Petiole nitrate/phosphate analysis in between the main growth stages: two weeks past first square, two weeks past first bloom, two weeks past peak bloom and open boll

Lettuce
-One complete soil analysis at preplant
-Complete tissue and petiole (midrib) nitrate/phosphate analysis at the following growth stages: early growth, heading and harvest

Onion
-One complete soil analysis at preplant
-Complete tissue and soil nitrate analysis starting when the onions have four leafs and every other week for the next 4 to 6 weeks.

Pecans/Pistachios
-One complete soil analysis done once a year on established fields or before planting
-Complete tissue analysis between August and September

Potatoes
-One complete soil analysis at preplant
-Complete tissue and petiole nitrate/phosphate analysis at the following growth stages: pre-bloom, mid (smaller tuber) and late (larger tuber)

Sorghum
-One complete soil analysis at preplant
-Complete tissue and soil nitrate analysis at the following growth stages: <10 inches, 10-18 inches and boot/bloom

Watermelon
-One complete soil analysis at preplant
-Complete tissue and petiole nitrate/phosphate analysis at the following growth stages: early runner, small (<4”), medium (4-12”) and mature

Wheat/Oats
-One complete soil analysis at preplant
-Complete tissue and soil nitrate analysis at the following growth stages: tillering, jointing, boot and bloom