Plant Tissue Analysis

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Our laboratory utilizes a nitric/perchloric acid digestion, which we believe gives us a more complete digestion than many other laboratories that utilize hydrogen peroxide/nitric digestions.   We have tested multiple methods including microwave digestion but we remain convinced that the perchloric acid allows for a more complete digestion of organic matrix's especially those with high lignin and calcium content.

Nitrogen Analysis for plant tissue is done using the Leco 928 Series analyizer (pictured).  We also have multiple Elementar Nitrogen Analyzers that along with the Leco 928 are capable of Total Carbon and Total Nitrogen determinations.  These combustion analyzers are considered the standard for plant tissue nitrogen analysis.   The nitric/perchloric acid digestions are performed with specialized fume hoods that pull the fumes away and scrub them with water to prevent salts accumulation.    The Final nutrient analysis is done with Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectorophotometry (ICP-OES).   

 Our laboratory typically has sample results available within 48-53 hours or two full business days from the receipt of the sample at our lab.  However, there are times when sample volume is extremely high or if we have scheduled maintenance on equipment, that turn around times may be 72 hours or longer.   It is RARE that we exceed  more than 2-3 business days on sample turnaround time.  If you have not received your samples within this time frame then you should call the lab as something may wrong.  PLEASE REMEMBER Saturday and Sunday are not business days...although our lab typically remains open on Saturdays during busy times.   We do offer a 24 or 48 hour Assurance Program for those who are interested.  There is additional fees associated with the assurance programs.  Please see pricing information below for details.

 We provide shipping labels via UPS.   We also provide free sampling supplies (bags), and boxes.  Unfortunately with recent price increases from UPS we are now charging a small fee for shipping.  The minimum fee is $10 per box.  There is a 50 cent per sample charge for all packages that contain more than 10 samples.  Thus, as an example a box with 20 samples would incur a $15 shipping fee.  Calculated as follows $10 minimum + $5 for the 10 samples above the minimum at 0.50 per sample.  

Some crops, where we have done extensive research, there are established critical and optimal levels by week of growth, GDU, or growth stage.   On these crops it allows growers to tissue sample often (usually weekly) and track the crop nutrients relative to the optimal levels or critical levels for each week of growth.  The reports are accumulated each week and a chart is displayed that shows the relative values.    The Standard analysis is a traditional low, sufficient, high, very high method based on established growth stages.   

•  We offer our clients access to an online web portal in which reports can be viewed,  turnaround time is shown, crops can be changed, reports combined, and a variety of other options.   Please contact the office to set up your username and password. Follow the link on this site to www.seaglab.com for portal access.