Citrus leaf sampling for nutrient analysis

Page last updated: Friday, 6 September 2019 - 1:36pm

Please note: This content may be out of date and is currently under review.

Monitoring a citrus orchard to gain some knowledge of the effectiveness of nutrition programs can be difficult, expensive and time consuming.  It is, however, the only way a valid assessment can be made of the effectiveness of fertiliser programs on tree performance and their effect on soil chemistry.

One of the main tools used to achieve this is the analysis of the chemical composition of leaves.  This page will outline some of the issues relating to leaf sampling and describe how to correctly sample leaves.

Introduction

Picking the correct leaf to conduct a leaf analysis is important.  Testing incorrect leaves can result in incorrect leaf readings that will not provide a proper indication of the orchards nutritional status.

Leaf analysis interpretation charts were developed in USA in the early 1960's.  The interpretation chart was developed sampling thousands of orchards of known health and cropping performance.  Results from the higher productive orchards were used to develop the optimum leaf nutrient standards currently used in leaf analysis interpretation charts.

The leaves picked to develop this standard were 4 to 7 month old leaves from non fruiting terminals, the 3rd and 4th leaves of these shoots are sampled.  These leaves were picked in the Australian equivalent of mid February to mid March. Leaf analysis guides from USA continue to advise leaf samples to be taken in this period.  Four to seven month old leaves would have emerged from spring flush in the August to October period.

It is important to note that leaf analysis is not the only source of information to help determine whether your trees are recieving sufficent nutrition. Others include field observation of tree health and vigour, fruit quality and yield, soil chemistry and type, and irrigation method.

Contact information

Kevin Lacey
+61 (0)8 9368 3546

Citrus leaf sampling for nutrient analysis

Author

Kevin Lacey