Plant testing - which analysis

   
​ARL has a number of plant anaylsis suites designed to meet your needs, use this as a guide to assist in choosing the right one.

Which plant analysis to select?

Standard pasture analysis
Provides analysis on the major nutrients and trace elements required for plant growth and animal health.

Clover/brassica/legume analysis
Provides analysis on the major nutrients and trace elements required for clover, brassica or legume plant growth.

Comprehensive pasture analysis
Provides analysis on the major nutrients and trace elements required for plant growth and animal health. The sample is split into two with a Standard Pasture Analysis carried out on one half of the sample and a Clover Analysis on the clover portion of the other half of the sample. ARL will separate the clover from the sample for the clover analysis. This ensures the complete picture for optimum mixed pasture performance.

Basic plant analysis
Provides analysis on the major nutrients and trace elements required for arable and horticultural crops.

Plant petiole analysis
For grapes at flowering and potatoes during early season development (50 days after emergence) petiole analysis is recommended.  Refer to ARL’s plant sampling guide for the appropriate sampling time or growth stage and the quantity of plant petioles to collect.

Specific crop package
ARL also offers specific crop packages such as analysis for grape berry juice or whole fruit analysis of apple and kiwifruit. Contact ARL for more information.

Extra tests

ARL provides a wide range of extra tests designed to meet your needs. Refer to the ARL price list for the full range of tests available. For specific crops refer to ARL’s plant sampling guide for recommended extra tests. Some of the more commonly requested extra tests are:

Iodine - Iodine is essential for animal growth and development. Plant tissue iodine testing is useful in the same way that other trace element plant testing is used.

Chloride - This test should be used on plants which have a higher chloride requirement such as Kiwifruit or when chloride levels can indicate plant health problems such as in avocados.

If testing because a plant or crop is poorly performing, it is a good idea to take two representative samples, one from each of the good and poor performing areas, and send for analysis.

For further information or to make arrangements for testing please contact our Ravensdown Customer Centre on 0800 100 123 or contact ARL directly on 0800 100 668.

 

ARL Plant  and feed testing price list

Plant and feed submission form

Plant sampling guide