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¶ Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)
| Table No: | Growth stage: | Plant part: |
| Table A | Early growth | Whole plant |
| Table B | Mid-growth | Whole plant |
¶ A: Early growth
Plant Part: Whole plant
Sampling Procedure: Collect whole stems from 30 to 40 plants, cutting off about one inch above the soil line. The final sample should form a bundle that can be encircled by your thumb and forefinger. Cut off about an inch above ground level. Pack loosely in paper bag. Do not use plastic containers.
| Analysis | Tissue Concentration Guidelines | ||||||||
| Low/Marginal Range | Sufficiency Range | Excessive, toxic? | |||||||
| Nitrogen, % N | 1.80 | – | 3.10 | 3.10 | – | 5.00 | |||
| Phosphorus, %P | 0.22 | – | 0.25 | 0.25 | – | 0.50 | |||
| Potassium, % K | 1.50 | – | 1.80 | 1.80 | – | 2.30 | |||
| Calcium, % Ca | 0.20 | – | 0.25 | 0.25 | – | 0.70 | |||
| Magnesium, % Mg | 0.10 | – | 0.15 | 0.15 | – | 0.35 | |||
| Sulfur, % S | 0.10 | – | 0.15 | 0.15 | – | 0.40 | |||
| Zinc, ppm Zn | 15 | – | 20 | 20 | – | 70 | |||
| Iron, ppm Fe | 30 | – | 50 | 50 | – | 400 | |||
| Manganese, ppm Mn | 20 | – | 30 | 30 | – | 250 | |||
| Copper ppm Cu | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 15 | |||
| Boron, ppm B | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 30 | |||
| Nitrogen-to-sulfur ratio (N:S) | 10 | – | 15 | ||||||
| Sodium, % Na | n/a | ||||||||
| Chloride, % Cl | n/a | ||||||||
¶ Figure A.
¶ B: Mid-growth
Plant Part: Whole plant
Sampling Procedure: Collect whole stems from 25 to 35 plants before the seed head forms. The final sample should form a bundle that can be encircled by your thumb and forefinger. Cut off about an inch above ground level. Pack loosely in paper bag. Core samples from baled hay may also be submitted for plant tissue analysis.
| Analysis | Tissue Concentration Guidelines | ||||||||
| Low/Marginal Range | Sufficiency Range | Excessive, toxic? | |||||||
| Nitrogen, % N | 1.50 | – | 1.80 | 1.80 | – | 2.50 | |||
| Phosphorus, %P | 0.17 | – | 0.20 | 0.20 | – | 0.40 | |||
| Potassium, % K | 1.40 | – | 1.60 | 1.60 | – | 2.50 | |||
| Calcium, % Ca | 0.20 | – | 0.25 | 0.25 | – | 0.70 | |||
| Magnesium, % Mg | 0.10 | – | 0.15 | 0.15 | – | 0.45 | |||
| Sulfur, % S | 0.12 | – | 0.18 | 0.18 | – | 0.32 | |||
| Zinc, ppm Zn | 15 | – | 20 | 20 | – | 70 | |||
| Iron, ppm Fe | 30 | – | 50 | 50 | – | 300 | |||
| Manganese, ppm Mn | 20 | – | 30 | 30 | – | 250 | |||
| Copper ppm Cu | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 15 | |||
| Boron, ppm B | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 20 | |||
| Nitrogen-to-sulfur ratio (N:S) | 12 | – | 16 | ||||||
| Sodium, % Na | n/a | ||||||||
| Chloride, % Cl | n/a | ||||||||
¶ Figure B.
Note: Interpretations are based the relationship between nutrient levels in a particular part of a "standard" tissue in a specific time in the growing season. These plant tissue ranges and interpretations are not considered valid with plant parts or growth stages other than those specified. These interpretations are developed from data collected across a wide range of crop, soil, and climate conditions.
Results from a single sample may be affected by time of day, climatic conditions, plant stress, age, or disease, that are not directly related to fertility status. Nutrient concentrations are not uniform throughout the plant and may change as the tissue matures.Tissue analysis trends should be evaluated by variety, growing season, and yield/quality goals. Collecting plant samples from the same location as soil samples allows comparison of soil nutrient availability with plant nutrient status.Low nutrient levels may be due to deficiency or to dilution by intensive growth. High or excessive nutrient levels may be a sign of restricted growth allowing nutrients to accumulate in the plant tissue. Nutrient imbalance may be secondary to the primary problem.