Abstract
Soil testing is the best tool for monitoring soil fertility levels and providing baseline information for cost-effective fertilization programs. But a major limitation is that it typically accounts for the plant-available nutrient pool present in the surface soil layer. Because of the extensive root system in some plants, plant analysis is a complement to the soil test to better assess the overall nutrient status of a perennial forage system, while revealing imbalances among nutrients that may affect crop production. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Maria L. Silveira and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, June 2014.
References
Kelling, K. A. and Matocha, J. E. 1990. Plant analysis as an aid in fertilizing forage crops. Pages 603-643 in: Soil testing and plant analysis. R. L. Westerman, ed. Soil Science of America, Madison, WI. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssabookser3.3ed.c23
Mackowiak, C.L. Blount, A.R., Hanlon, E.A., Silveira, M.L. and Myer, R.O. 2013. Getting the Most out of Bahiagrass Fertilization. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss469.
Mondart, C. L. Jr., Harris, H. E., Brupbacher, R. H. Jr., and Sedberry, J. E. 1974. Influence of annual applications of phosphorus on the yield and chemical composition of common bermudagrass and on the chemical composition of a Bowie soil. Louisiana Agric. Exp. Sta. Bull. No. 684.
Mylavarapu, R. S., Wright, D., Kidder, G. and Chambliss, C. G. 2013. UF/IFAS Standardized Fertilization Recommendations for Agronomic Crops. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss163.
Silveira, M. L., Obour, A. K., Vendramini, J. M. B. and Sollenberger, L. E. 2011. Using tissue analysis as a tool to predict bahiagrass phosphorus fertilization requirement. J. Plant Nutr. 34: 2193-2205. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2011.618578