cases, especially for tree fruits, samples taken one year may not be
used until the appropriate season of the next year. However, with
increased speed of analysis the trend has been to get the informa-
tion back to the grower just as rapidly as possible, and then apply
the needed elements during the same season. This should be
even more important in the tropics than in temperate regions.
Standards for each crop are printed by the computer in the defi-
cient, low, sufficient, high and excess ranges previously indicated
(Fig. 2).
 The importance of time of sampling, leaf age, and sampling
position must be continually emphasized to the grower. Three
basic criteria are frequently combined when establishing a
research or grower foliar analysis sampling procedure. They in-
clude: (1) a sample is taken from recent fully matured leaves (if
the petiole is used, it is from this type leaf); (2)the leaf should be
exposed to ambient sunlight conditions much of the time and
where applicable be on a fruiting shoot; (3) the time of sampling
should be about mid-season or a specified number of days follow-
ing bloom or another well-defined phenological period. The
research database developed for such crops is, therefore, tied to
these three conditions and all grower samples taken for this pur-
pose should conform to them.


Concurrent Research Programs
 In the development of any foliar analysis service program a
concurrent research program is also extremely important. Many
problems as they are found in grower plantings, need to be incor-
porated into a research program for solutions. More problems
seem to be identified every year by the Ohio grower foliar analysis
program than can be resolved. Each year's results provides the
researcher with an updated survey as to nutritional conditions for
the crops sampled.
 An applied nutritional research program can and must provide
the following information: (1) recommended nutrient ranges that
will reflect differences in growth, yield and product quality; (2)
effects of rates of fertilizer application for specific soil types, etc.
In this area, it is very necessary to conduct such experiments on
grower plantings in order to get reliable data; (3) a criterion for
proper sampling procedures that will most efficiently utilize the
database developed.
 The use of a companion tool, soil analysis, has not been
discussed. It is well known that good soil testing methods are also
a desirable means of providing the grower with an additional tool
for his fertility program. For tree crops, it has been the general
feeling that foliar analysis provides a better indicator of what the
plant is actually absorbing than does soil analysis. However, in
the establishment of any crop, soil testing should be used before
planting or concurrent with foliar analysis where a problem is in-
volved. Basic modifications in the fertility and pH of the soil prior
to planting can then be made. In Ohio, a combined use of soil
and plant analysis has never been mandatory. However, we do of-
fer both programs. Independent analysis and recommendations


FIG. 2 The completed results form, with typical
recommendations, used by the Research Extension
Analytical Laboratory (REAL), Wooster, Ohio.


FIG. 1. Questionnaire used by the Ohio Research Extension Analytical Laboratory
(REAL), Wooster, Ohio.


 rITUllRNllS I'III LLEANVEII LEMoltimA Hotoeura, Saops. No.
 OHIO PLANT ANALYSIS LABORATORY -,2 0 7 5 471
 Ohio Cooperative Extension Service The Ohio State Univeity
 and Ohio Agricultural Resarch and Development Center, Cooperating
 Name: IGro,* Nam (If otnr mnte at lfJ):
 Str t. RoutL: Coumty:
 Citn: __ .Ohhio .nYLSmpleIdentification: i
 Telehone Number:


 [CROP ANO
L TYPE OF CROP: I(I Fra (2) Greonhao Va
. a CROP_
 S PLANT PART SAMPLED: (1) As Directed

TI I L-r I G-| DATE PLANTED:
[ZI |II W DATE TRANSPLANTED:
IpZ 1 1 I 1 DATE SAMPLED:
 .1 PREVIOUS CROP: (List)
- PLANT APPEARANCE: (Checkl (1) Norn
 (2) Abn<
T]-W 1 PERCENTAGE OF PLANTS AFFECTED:
-'- 3 HERBICIDE APPLIED CURRENT CROP Y
' HERBICIDE APPLIED PREVIOUS CROP'
D SOIL: (1) Fine or Medium Texture (clay an
 pemt) (4) Container. Bed. Bench or I
 D SOIL MOISTURE PRIOR TO SAMPLING:
 average rainfall) (3) Normal (4) Low


OIL HI.TORYI Date Resovd
ibl 13(utedo Vtrables () Numrtry-Oad () Nuraw-Everrun I()Flonn
 CULTIVAR (Variety)
 (2) It Other. Describe







nal
rl __ ,(Describe)
(0 to 99%)
YEAR:
YEAR:
d silt) (2) Coarse Texture (sandy) (3) Organic muck or
Pot Mixture
(1) Excessive (due to poor dninage) (2) High (due to above
N


 I CRREN SOILTLT DATA I FEPRT ZM AOR UMESTON APPUIED
 PH O RATE: (1) Lbs/Acre (2) Lbs./Plant
 LIME TEST INDEX (" 13) LbsJCu. Yd. (4) Ppm
 CATION EXCHANGE CAPACITY (Meq/1Og) PREVIOUS (LAST) YEAR OR CROP
 AVAILABLE NUTRIENTS (Lbs./A) Nitrogen (N)
 SPhoshous Phosphorus (P2051
 Potasium Potassium (K20)
 Calcium Ag. Ground Limestone
 ORGANIC MATTER CURRENT YEAR OR CROP
 SOLUBLE SALTS Nitrogen (N)
 SOIL TEST BY: 1. O.S.U., 2. Other Phosphorus (P2055
 DATE TESTED: 19__ Potaosium (K 0)
 SOIL TYPE (MAPPING) NUMBER j Ag. Ground Limestone





for both soil and plant analysis is not without its problems;
especially when a grower uses both and receives conflicting infor-
mation. For example: soil test indicates the potassium is low, but
the plant analysis indicates it is quite satisfactory (the amount
that is in the plant tissue must take precedence over the soil
levels, is a position I have always assumed). Discussions in grower
meetings, short courses, etc., have been necessary to help the
grower recognize that the best fertilizer program includes all the
information that he can get his hands on. This includes soil
testing, plant analysis, visual observations, previous experience,
the research information available on the crop involved, etc.
With the justification that they all offer some benefits, as well as
some sources for error, we will continue to study and develop
such methods to help the growers increase the quality and quan-
tity of their crops.


 OHIO PLANT ANALYSIS REPORT
PANTA ANAMSDIV IftA H T(XT ANAMICH t M R A A asl e o 5 u oI
wOOST'!. O"'O Awl _
CCJNY WAYNE N 1.56 XXXXXXXXX (ppm)Mn 0111 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
 P 100.19 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Fe 0120 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
CtOwr10NO 1S02 K 00.84 XX X B 0020 XXXXXXXXXX
T SAH sO00S0 (I)Ca 01.32 XXXXXXXXXXXXX Cu 0010 txxxxxxxxxxXXXXX
oAT'tt0CEo 07/20/80 lMg 0043 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Zn 000 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
DATtnEiNTo 07/25/80 11 s 0048
 %II ROGEN IS LOW. INCREASE RATE OF APPLICATION TO 65 LB/ACRE. APPLY IN LATE FALL OR EARLY SPRING. POTASSIUM IS DEFICIENT.
 APPLY 4OO LBIACRE MURIATE OR SULFATE OF POTACH ANYTIME. BORON IS LOW. APPLY I LB. BORAX OR 1/2 LB. POLYBOR PER TREE.
 SPREAD UNIFORMLY BENEATH TO SLIGHTLY BEYOND TREE BRANCHES SOLUBOR AT I LB. PER 100 GAL. CAN ALSO BE APPLIED WITH
 PETAL FALL AND FIRST OR SECOND COVER SPRAYS.


CROP & SOIL HISTORY
CROP APPLE
CULTIVAR RED DELICIOUS
PLANT PART AS DIRECTED
PLANTEDOOR TRANSPLANTED 04/12/69
DATE SAMLPLED 07/18/80
PREVIOUS CROP APPLE
PLANT APPEARANCE LIGHT GREEN
HEnBICIDE (CURRENT) SIIAZINE
HERBICIDE (PREVIOUS) SIIAZINE


 HR. FRUIT GROWER
 w RD 1
 BOOSTER, OO10 44691
 COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AGENT
 428 W. LIBERTY ST.
 WOOSTER, OHIO 44691
80 PCT.
 SPECIALISTS COPY


SOIL TEST DATA FERT.6LIME APPL.
1YPE FINE/IE]UM TEXT. RATE, LBS/ACRE
MOISTURE NORMAL N P K
PH 5.4 PREVIOUS CROP
P 12 Ibs/A 4S.0 0 0
K 169 Ibs/A LIHE O lbs.
CA 1650 Ibs/A CURRENT CROP
OM 2 SALTS 24 S5.0 0 0
BY OSU LIME 0 lbs.
YEAR 1980


PROCEEDINGS of the CARIBBEAN FOOD CROPS SOCIETY-VOL. XX