Critical Plant Nutrient Composition Values Useful in Interpreting Plant Analysis Data¹

Abstract

Abstract Plant analyses can be a powerful tool in the diagnosis of yield depressions. Critical plant composition data for corn, soybeans, wheat, and alfalfa are presented which can be useful in interpreting plant analyses. Data are also presented to indicate “normal” variations that may be expected to occur in plant composition resulting from variations in varieties, seasons and soil. For the corn plant, the nutrient composition of some elements change with the leaf sampled and the maturity of the plant.