Quick facts
- Foliar (leaf) testing helps determine fertilizer needs for your crop and soil.
- Knowing what nutrients your crop needs allows for better fertilization and increases production potential for high-value fruits and vegetables.
- Each crop has its own unique needs for how to submit a foliar nutrient test.
- Always sample the right leaves at the right time(s) in the growing season according to established recommendations.
There are 14 essential plant nutrients derived from the soil that are considered essential for the growth of all plants. Foliar tests tell us whether the plants are taking up optimal levels of these nutrients, or if changes to the fertilizer program are needed.
These nutrients are divided into six macronutrients and eight micronutrients :
- Macronutrients: Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S)
- Micronutrients: Iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), boron (B), molybdenum (Mo), chlorine (Cl) and nickel (Ni)
The purpose of foliar testing
Fruit crops
When done properly, foliar testing is the most reliable way to determine fertility needs for fruit crops in established plantings.
Soil tests determine the nutrient contents, pH, and organic matter of the soil, but many factors influence a plant's ability to take up these nutrients. Even when soil is high in nutrient levels, plants still may not be getting enough nutrients. Soil testing is important before planting and can be used in conjunction with tissue testing.
Foliar tests reveal the actual nutrient status of the plant and determine what nutrients may be needed to optimize yield and plant growth. For that reason, foliar testing every year is generally recommended.
Annual vegetables
A basic soil test at the beginning of the year is the best tool for nutrient management planning.
Foliar tests are most relevant for growers who have already developed nutrient management plans based on soil tests and want to go the extra mile for high-value crops (such as high tunnel tomatoes). Foliar testing provides valuable information to refine a fertigation strategy. In addition, potato growers in Minnesota routinely do foliar testing every year.
Foliar testing also helps diagnose problems like foliar discoloration or slow plant growth that might be related to micronutrient deficiencies.
When and how to take foliar samples
This video shows how to take foliar samples for apples and grapes (06:57).
The best time to take fruit foliar samples depends on the crop. It is critically important to take the sample at the appropriate time to get accurate and meaningful results.
Be sure you are collecting the right leaf tissue; for example, grape growers submit petioles, not leaf blades. The position of the grape leaves to sample depends on the time in the season.
Use the foliar testing guidelines table below.
The exact timing for foliar sampling varies by crop. In general, sample when plants are entering the reproductive phase (flowering and starting to fruit). You may want to sample multiple times from high-value tomatoes (especially indeterminate), peppers and cucurbits to maintain optimal fertility. See the foliar testing guidelines table below.
Always sample from fully expanded, mature leaves. For potatoes, sample petioles and not leaf blades. Do not sample newly emerged or senescing (declining) leaves.
A sample is made up of many leaves (see the foliar testing guidelines table for the number of leaves required for each crop).
For tomatoes, submit either the full leaves or just the petioles. Leaves can be used for diagnostic purposes, but petioles are used to predict fertilizer needs. If unsure, consult with your testing laboratory before submitting the sample.
Penn State University has further recommendations for tissue sampling in tomatoes. Keep in mind that for tomatoes, a leaf is the entire leaf structure coming off of the main stem or leader and has multiple blades.
Get a representative sample by collecting leaves from randomly selected plants throughout the field or area of interest. Include plants of varying levels of health and vigor rather than selecting the healthiest plants.
To diagnose a problem such as discolored leaves or poor fruit set, collect a sample from the area of the field exhibiting the problem and a second sample from a healthy area of the field to compare nutrient levels and determine if it is a nutrient-related issue.
Foliar test recommendations
| Crop | Growth Stage | Plant Part Sampled | Approx. Number of Leaves Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | July 15-Aug 15 | Leaf from middle of current, terminal shoot | 60 |
| Asparagus | Mature fern | Fern from 17-35 inches up | 20 |
| Beans, snap | Initial flowering | Young mature leaf | 50 |
| Beets, table | Mature | Young mature leaf | 20 |
| Blueberries | First week of harvest | Young mature leaf | 50 |
| Broccoli | Heading | Young mature leaf | 15 |
| Brussels sprouts | Maturity | Young mature leaf | 15 |
| Cabbage | Heads, half grown | Young wrapper leaf | 15 |
| Cantaloupe | Early fruiting | Fifth leaf from tip | 25 |
| Carrots | Midgrowth | Young mature leaf | 25 |
| Cauliflower | Buttoning | Young mature leaf | 15 |
| Celery | Half-grown | Young mature leaf | 20 |
| Cucumbers | Early fruiting | Fifth leaf from tip | 20 |
| Eggplant | Early fruiting | Young mature leaf | 15 |
| Garlic | Bulbing | Young mature leaf | 25 |
| Grapes | Full bloom | Petiole from leaf opposite basal fruit cluster | 75 |
| Grapes | Veraison | Petiole from newest fully formed leaf | 75 |
| Lettuce | Heads, half size | Wrapper leaf | 20 |
| Onions | Midgrowth | Top, no white portions | 25 |
| Peas | First bloom | Recently mature leaflet | 50 |
| Peppers | Early fruiting | Young mature leaf | 20 |
| Potatoes | 40-50 days after emergence | Petiole from fourth leaf from tip | 40 |
| Pumpkin/Squash | Early fruiting | Young mature leaf | 15 |
| Radishes | Midgrowth to harvest | Young mature leaf | 40 |
| Raspberries | First week in August | Leaf 18 inches from primocane tip | 50 |
| Spinach | 30-50 days old | Young mature leaf | 35 |
| Strawberries | Mid-August | Young mature leaf | 20 |
| Sweet corn | Tasseling to silk | Ear leaf | 10 |
| Tomatoes | First mature fruit | Young mature leaf | 20 |
| Watermelons | Midgrowth | Young mature leaf | 15 |
Ordering a foliar nutrient test
The University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory offers foliar testing for a small fee. A number of private and state laboratories also offer foliar testing.
Find a plant analysis form on the Soil Testing Laboratory site and send in your sample as directed.
There are multiple tests to choose from. Contact the Soil Testing Laboratory for advice on which test to use for your crop. The multi-element spectroscopy and nitrogen test is sufficient in most situations. It analyzes an array of macro- and micronutrients important for plant and crop development.
When mailing or hand-delivering your sample, include:
- Sample
- Form
- Check for the sample cost (costs are listed on the form)
Interpreting foliar test results
For both fruit and vegetable crops, use the Nutrient Management Guide for Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Crops in Minnesota from the University of Minnesota to interpret foliar test results and determine the fertilizer needs of fruit crops (page 34).
Find out more about foliar and soil nutrient recommendations for grapevines.
It is not always possible to determine the precise amount of each nutrient to add based on a foliar test. However, comparing the values on your test report with the optimum ranges will indicate if your plants are relatively high or low in each nutrient and indicate which nutrients, if any, to add.
- Nutrient Management Guide for Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Crops in Minnesota
- Organic Production and IPM Guide for Strawberries
- Apple Nutrition
- Soiltest.cfans.umn.edu
- Berry Leaf Tissue Testing (video)
- Taking a Foliar Sample: Vineyards and Orchards (video)
- Tissue and soil nutrient testing for cold climate grapes
Reviewed in 2024