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Leaf Extract Analysis

Apical Leaf Extract Analysis is the most advanced plant sap analysis on the market today, and the only one optimized for Regenerative and Organic practices.

A significant advancement over standard tissue analysis, we analyze 24 analytes on our basic test and 14 additional with a Deluxe Analyte upgrade.  This includes all essential elements, as well as analytes not included by other labs that are considered beneficial, and elements that are detrimental to human consumption.

Growers use this test to limit crops’ abiotic and nutritional stress, to understand rapidly what fertilizer the plants need and already have, and to determine what they may require in the future.  This data is then used to generate meaningful interpretations, graphs, charts, and data points of the crops’ nutritional status.

Select your Crop Specific sampling guide, and follow the instructions to submit samples today.

Leaf Extract Analysis is ideally integrated with our Field Water Analysis, Soil Nutrient Analysis and Crop Nutrient Analysis as a complete package to manage the mineral content of crops toward nutritionally dense and balanced harvests.

View a Sample Report

History of Leaf Extract Analysis

Understand My Report

Follow the steps below for successful sample submission.

01.

Select Crop-Specific Sampling Guide

 

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02.

Complete Labels & Submit Samples

 

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03.

Analyze Your Results

 

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04.

Follow Advice

 

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What Makes Apical Different

  • We work with farmers on Crop Advising
  • We utilize the data to drive decision making
  • We provide an online portal to easily access reports over time
  • Our extraction is superior to tissue analysis because it is taken from multiple plant parts and assesses nutritional status and flows within a plant in real time results.
Leaf Extract Analysis FAQ's

Who can benefit from using Leaf Extract Analysis?

  • Farmers that wish to improve crop productivity and health
  • Agronomists, Crop Advisors and Consultants who make fertilizer recommendations
  • Organic growers looking to maximize the organic method
  • Conventional growers looking to minimize fertilizer costs
  • Students of Agriculture/Horticulture

What can I learn from Leaf Extract Analysis?

  • How to optimize fertilization
  • General plant health by primary indicators
  • Balance of nutrients in different parts of the plant
  • Toxic elements that are causing plant stress
  • Nitrogen excess/deficiency
  • Micronutrient deficiencies
  • Nutrient management preferences by cultivar
  • And much more…

Why is Leaf Extract Analysis beneficial?

The mineral content of the plant fluids is a predictive indicator of plant tissue content.

By analyzing the plant fluids during transport prior to becoming part of the plant tissue, the mineral needs and excesses of the plant can be adjusted.

How do you use Leaf Extract Analysis to inform nutrient management?

Plant (sap) nutrient flow and translocation has been studied for over 80 years in hundreds of peer-reviewed journals.  By sampling and analyzing different parts of the plant, agronomic principles can be utilized to determine which nutrients are deficient, balanced, or toxic.

How should I package and send my leaves?

Please read carefully the crop specific sampling guide for details on picking, packing, and shipping your leaves. These guidelines must be followed precisely to allow us to deliver timely and accurate results.

Do you accept hemp and cannabis leaf samples?

Apical can receive and analyze hemp and cannabis leaves; however, it is the customer’s responsibility to know and follow state and federal shipping regulations. Contact carriers directly for further information regarding shipping regulations and requirements.

How does Leaf Extract Analysis differ from Plant Tissue Analysis?

In Tissue Analysis, the plant fluids within the plant leaf are excluded and the cellular tissue is analyzed.

In Leaf Extract Analysis, the cellular fluids are analyzed and the tissue components are excluded.

Is Leaf Extract Analysis “Sap Testing”?

Sap testing implies a number of different protocols. In some forms, plant leaves are juiced to a pulp and analyzed in the field for 1-5 nutrient analytes using portable meters.

In Leaf Extract Analysis, the pure cellular fluids of the plant are extracted and analyzed on precision laboratory equipment for 22 or more analytes.

How do you extract the fluids?

We employ a multi-stage process that excludes the vascular transport bundles, cellular wall structures and other tissue components. The process produces pure plant fluids to be used for analytical purposes.

How do you analyze the fluids?

We utilize accepted scientific methods for plant-matrix analysis using precision laboratory techniques for sub-part-per-million quantitation.

How do we get the most out of the Apical system?

To obtain optimal results, we work directly with growers to pave the path to soil health, crop productivity and farm profitability.

Contact us for more information.

  • Precision forecasting of plant needs based on analysis results
  • Custom Data interpretation
  • Detailed Crop Fertilizer Recommendations
  • Custom Foliar Nutrition Blends
  • Custom Biological Inoculant Recommendations
  • Biological-Nutrient Synergy