PLANT ANALYSIS KIT

Trust Ward Laboratories to provide the data you need to make informed in-season fertility decisions.

Purchase Kit

Kit Includes:

  • 6 weeks of plant analyses for 1 field
    • Recommended sampling stages: 3-5 leaf; 6-9 leaf; 10-14 leaf; 15-18 leaf; VT; Brown Silk
  • 6 prepaid UPS shipping labels
  • 6 Sample bags
  • 6 Shipping boxes
  • 6 Submittal Sheets

Why test plant tissue?

Ward Laboratories recommends testing for two primary reasons:

  • To diagnose visible symptoms of poor plant health
  • To monitor the plant’s nutrient content and adjust management techniques accordingly – before visible problems appear

But my plants look great! Why do I need to test?

Here’s a common scenario: your plants seem to be thriving – but your crop yield at harvest just isn’t meeting expectations. Hidden plant hunger is a problem that many producers face. Sometimes your crop can exhibit zero visible symptoms, but still be deficient in key nutrients. Plant analysis can help you avoid potential problems down the road.

What causes hidden hunger in plants?

Excessive or insufficient nutrient levels in plant tissue are typically caused by inadequate fertilizer applications or nutrient imbalances in a soil. We help our growers diagnose these imbalances through plant analysis AND provide sufficiency ratings that help you make informed management decisions.

Ward Laboratories can help you solve the problem.

Get started with our most popular plant analysis option:

Routine Plant Tissue Testing
(Analysis Only, No Kit)

$27.50 USD

This is a great entry point for plant testing! Follow our directions to submit a sample for your individual crop. We’ll test your sample for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, boron and molybdenum. You’ll receive a complete report of your results, allowing you to adjust management techniques accordingly.

See our additional test options

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does testing cost?

Updated October 13, 2020. All prices are subject to change without notice.
All prices are in USD.

Download the Plant Analysis Prices

PLANT ANALYSIS
P-2 ROUTINE $27.50
  Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur, Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Boron, Molybdenum  
P-205 P-2 + TOTAL CARBON $36.00
     
P-12 P-2 MINUS NITROGEN $18.00
     
P-3 SUPER COMPLETE $35.00
  Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur, Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Molybdenum, Boron, Chloride  
P-4 CORN STALK NITRATE $12.75
  A corn stalk nitrate sample is taken from 6 inches to 14 inches above the soil surface. A sample should contain 10-8-inch stalks.  
P-419 COVER CROP NUTRIENT COMPLETE $44.00
  Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur, Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Molybdenum, Boron, Total Carbon, Dry Matter (%), Dry Matter (ton/ac), Biomass Weight As Is  
P-420 COVER CROP SUPER COMPLETE $52.00
  P-419 plus Chloride  
P-421 COVER CROP C:N $24.50
  Nitrogen, Total Carbon, Dry Matter (%), Biomass Ton/Acre  
INDIVIDUAL PLANT ANALYSIS
  CHLORIDE $8.00
  DRY MATTER $8.00
  NITROGEN $8.00
  NITRATE-NITROGEN $7.75
  PHOSPHATE-PHOSPHORUS $7.75
  TOTAL CARBON $8.50

Plant analysis provides two approaches to enhancing fertilizer effectiveness. One is the diagnostic approach where plant analysis is made when there is an obvious growth problem in the field. A sample is taken from the poor growing area and compared to a sample from an adjacent normal growing area.

Ward Laboratories, Inc. suggests using this diagnostic approach for researching production problems. The comparative samples are very important for proper interpretation of the analysis. The testing fee for the normal comparative sample is one- half the regular fee.

The monitoring approach is used to confirm that the plant has proper nutrition. Plant samples should be taken while the crops are at the bloom (reproductive) stage of growth. Samples taken earlier than bloom stage contain higher levels of nutrients. For this reason, it is very important to identify the growth stage for proper interpretation.

Learn More

How Do I Take a Sample?

Click here for everything you need to know about sample types and sampling procedure!

Does Ward accept samples from any location?

Yes. However before submitting samples from outside the US, Ward Laboratories must submit an application through APHIS. Please email sales@wardlab.com with the plant species and plant part to begin the process.

What can I do if the crop in one area of my field looks green and healthy, but another area does not?

We recommend sampling both areas of the field for a comparative analysis. When submitting samples for comparison, the first sample will be full price and the second sample is half price. It is helpful to include information in the comments of the submittal sheet about management practices in both areas.

What kind of bag do I put my sample in?

Plant samples should be submitted in a paper bag to ensure sample quality. Any paper bag will work, or you can order one straight from our lab. Do not submit plant samples in a plastic bag.

Ready to grow healthier plants and increase your crop yields?

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