Analysis of Plant Samples
Di-acid digestion is used for determination of most of the elements ( P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu)
| 1 | Dry Ashing | Muffle Furnace 400-600 o C |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Organic Carbon Percentage is obtained by Dry Ashing Method | – |
| 3 | Total N | Kjeldahl Method |
| 4 | Total P | Spectrophotometer or Colorimetric Method |
| 5 | Total K | Flame Photometer (Toth and Prince, 1949 |
| 6 | Total S | Precipitation Method |
| 7 | Calcium | EDTA Titration Method |
| 8 | Magnesium | EDTA Titration Method |
| 9 | Boron | Azomethine-H Colorimetric Method |
| 10 | Micronutrients – Total Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn | Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy |
SLN Group Plant Tissue Analysis Facility
SLN Group provides advanced plant tissue analysis services to help farmers, agronomists and researchers understand the nutrient status inside crops. Plant analysis offers precise information on nutrient uptake efficiency, hidden deficiencies and imbalances that are not always visible through soil testing alone.
These services support precision nutrition management, allowing timely correction of deficiencies and optimization of fertilizer programs for higher productivity and better crop quality.
Scope of Plant Sample Analysis
SLN Group laboratory conducts comprehensive macro and micronutrient analysis in plant tissues.
Macronutrients
- Nitrogen (N)
- Phosphorus (P)
- Potassium (K)
Secondary Nutrients
- Calcium (Ca)
- Magnesium (Mg)
- Sulphur (S)
Micronutrients
- Iron (Fe)
- Manganese (Mn)
- Zinc (Zn)
- Copper (Cu)
- Boron (B)
Sample Preparation Process
Di Acid Digestion Method
For most nutrient estimations, Di acid digestion is used.
- Plant samples are oven dried
- Samples are finely ground
- Digested using nitric acid and perchloric acid mixture
- Organic matter is decomposed
- Nutrients are extracted into solution form
- Solution used for instrumental analysis
This method ensures complete digestion of plant tissues and accurate extraction of nutrients.
Additional Digestion Method
Dry Ashing
- Samples are placed in porcelain crucibles
- Heated in Muffle Furnace
- Temperature maintained between 400°C to 600°C
- Organic matter is completely removed
- Mineral residues retained for analysis
Analytical Methods Usedc
1. Organic Carbon Percentage
- Method used: Dry Ashing Method
- Measures carbon content after ignition
- Indicates plant metabolic activity
- Helps assess crop physiological status
2. Total Nitrogen
- Method used: Kjeldahl Method
- Digestion followed by distillation and titration
- Determines total nitrogen in plant tissue
- Reflects nitrogen uptake efficiency
3. Total Phosphorus
- Method used: Spectrophotometer or Colorimetric Method
- Color development proportional to phosphorus content
- Measured using spectrophotometer
- Indicates energy transfer efficiency
4. Total Potassium
- Method used: Flame Photometer
- Reference method Toth and Prince 1949
- Measures emission intensity of potassium
- Indicates potassium translocation in plants
5. Total Sulphur
- Method used: Precipitation Method
- Sulphur converted to insoluble compound
- Measured gravimetrically or turbidimetrically
- Indicates protein synthesis capacity
6. Calcium Estimation
- Method used: EDTA Titration Method
- Chelometric titration technique
- Measures calcium concentration
- Important for cell wall integrity
7. Magnesium Estimation
- Method used: EDTA Titration Method
- Determines magnesium concentration
- Essential for chlorophyll formation
8. Boron Estimation
- Method used: Azomethine H Colorimetric Method
- Color intensity proportional to boron concentration
- Measured using spectrophotometer
- Important for flowering and fruit set
9. Micronutrient Analysis
(Zinc, Copper, Iron, Manganese)
- Method used: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
- Highly sensitive and precise technique
- Measures micronutrients in parts per million
- Detects hidden deficiencies accurately
Equipment Used
- Muffle Furnace
- Kjeldahl Digestion Unit
- Spectrophotometer
- Flame Photometer
- Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer
- Analytical Balance
- Hot Plate
- Magnetic Stirrer
Quality Assurance Protocols
- Standard operating procedures followed
- Regular calibration of instruments
- Use of analytical grade reagents
- Duplicate sample testing
- Cross verification of results
Benefits of Plant Analysis
- Identifies hidden nutrient deficiencies
- Confirms nutrient uptake efficiency
- Optimizes fertilizer schedules
- Prevents yield loss
- Improves crop quality
- Reduces unnecessary fertilizer use
- Enhances profitability
Report Format Provided
Each soil analysis report includes
- Nutrient concentration values
- Deficiency and sufficiency interpretation
- Crop specific nutrient recommendations
- Corrective spray schedules
- Fertigation guidance
- Stage wise nutrient management plan
SLN Group plant tissue analysis services combine scientific digestion techniques and advanced instrumentation to deliver accurate nutrient profiling. These insights help farmers make data driven decisions, optimize crop nutrition and achieve sustainable high yield farming.