Updated: May 18, 2021
By Joseph Fiola, Ph.D.

Sample Collection & Preparation for Perennial Fruit Crops

Tissue samples for perennial fruit crops are typically taken when nutrient levels in leaves are relatively stable. All leaves for a sample should be collected from the same cultivar. The sampling procedure should be as random as possible. It is best NOT to take multiple leaves from the same bush or tree but rather collect from a wide selection of plants throughout the block you are sampling. Refer to NM-5 “Nutrient Management for Tree Fruits and Small Fruits” for more information on tissue sampling.

Consult Table 1 to determine the appropriate time to sample, the number of samples/plant part, and the location on the plant for each fruit crop. Figure 1 has additional information on the proper sampling location.

CROP TIME TO SAMPLE NUMBER OF SAMPLES/PLANT PART LOCATION ON PLANT
Blueberries 1st week of harvest 40 leaves (detach petioles) Current season’s growth
Brambles August 1st – August 20th 60 leaves (detach petioles) Select the most recent fully expanded leaf blade of each non-fruiting cane
Grapes Full bloom; or 70-100 days post-bloom Small = about 75 petioles
Large = about 50 petioles
Bloom: Petiole of leaf opposite 1st blossom cluster
or
75-100 days after bloom: Petiole from last fully expanded leaf
Fruit Trees July 15th – Sept. 1st 50 leaves and petioles Select shoots at eye level from around outside of the tree. Select shoots that make a vertical angle of 45-60 degrees to the ground.
Remove 1 or 2 leaves from the mid-portion of the current season’s growth (figure 1.)
Strawberries Late July or early August; after renovation At least 50 leaves (not petioles) Newly expanded leaves after renovation

 

FIGURE 1. Proper sampling locations for fruit trees (Drawn by Pete Mazzochi, Former Senior Graphic Designer, College of AGNR)
Figure 1. Proper sampling locations for fruit trees
(Drawn by Pete Mazzochi, Former Senior Graphic Designer, College of AGNR)

Sampling Instructions

Place samples in a labeled paper bag, such as a paper lunch bag. Unless using Agri Analysis’ lab, set the bag in a dry location for 1-2 days to air-dry samples before closing the bag for shipment. (Agri Analysis prefers to receive fresh tissue. Ship samples as soon as possible after sampling.)

Tissue Analysis

Plant tissue can typically be analyzed by the same labs that analyze soil or manure samples. Table 2 provides a list of labs that can analyze tissue samples. The cost of analysis varies from lab to lab.

Table 2. List of tissue testing labs

A & L EASTERN LAB, INC.
7621 Whitepine Rd., Richmond, VA 23237
Phone: (804) 743-9401
Fax: (804) 271-6446
www.al-labs-eastern.com
AGRI ANALYSIS, INC. A DIVISION OF PIONEER WATER TESTING LABORATORY, INC.
280 Newport Road, PO Box 483, Leola, PA 17540
Phone: (717) 656-9326 or (800) 464-6019
www.agrianalysis.com
AGROLAB, INC.
101 Cluckey Dr., Harrington, DE 19952
Phone: (302) 566-6094 Fax (888) 412-0873
www.agrolab.us
BROOKSIDE LABORATORIES, INC.
308 South Main Street, New Knoxville, OH 45871
Phone: (419) 753-2448
www.blinc.com
PENNSYLVANIA AGRICULTURAL ANALYTICAL SERVICES
Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802
Phone: (814) 863-0841
www.aasl.psu.edu
SPECTRUM ANALYTIC, INC.
PO Box 639, 1087 Jamison Road NW Washington Court House, OH 43160
Phone: (800) 321-1562
www.spectrumanalytic.com
WATERS AGRICULTURAL LABORATORIES, INC.
2101 Calhoun Rd, Highway 81, Owensboro, KY 42301
Phone: (270) 685-4039
www.watersag.com

All labs have tissue submission forms on their websites.