A & L Western Laboratories Oregon and california

Sampling Plants

Key to Stages of Growth

IMPORTANT! Official ratings for elements other than NO₃-N, PO₄-P, and soluble K on petioles or midribs may not exist. Therefore, interpret with caution when requesting the PT2 or PT5A package.

BLM	bloom sampling	EGF	early green fruit	PBL	prebloom
VER	veraison	PRE	preharvest	EBL	early bloom
HAR	harvest	ERF	early ripe fruit	FBL	full bloom
ESN	early season	FRF	full ripe fruit	LBL	late bloom
MSN	midseason/growth	MIT	mid tillering	FSQ	first square
LSN	late season	MAT	maximum tillering	EBL	first bloom
VEG	vegetative growth	PAI	panicle initiation	PBL	peak bloom
EFL	early flowering	SIL	silking	FOB	first open boll
BUT	buttoning	TAS	tasseling	ESN	3-4 leaf
BUL	fruit bulking	EFG	early fern growth	TIL	tillering
HEA	early heading	MID	midgrowth	JNT	jointing
PRE	preharvest	MFG	mature fern growth	BOO	booting
HAR	first harvest	MRM	most recently mature	HEA	heading

Key to Plant Parts

B	blade	L	leaf/leaflet	S	stem/midstem/seedling
C	center/cluster	M	midrib	T	tops
F	flag leaf	P	petiole	U	underground stem
H	hulls	R	root	W	whole above-ground portion

Available List of Crop Codes

ALFALFA	EBL-T HAR-W (Core from whole bale) Top 6-inch PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
	{University of California Method} {EBL-C (SO4-S) {Center leaves	EBL-S (PO4-P+K) Center stems	EBL-W (B+Mo)} Whole top third}
ALMONDS	MAR-L APR-L MAY-L MSN-L (Jun-Jul) LSN (Aug-Sep) Select the most recently matured leaves from non-fruiting, non-expanding spurs PT2, PT3, PT4, Cl, Mo, NO3-N with ratings available HAR-H (B in hulls) PT2, B with ratings available
APRICOTS/CANNG APRICOTS/PLUMS/PRUNES/CHERRIES	MAR-L APR-L MAY-L MSN-L (Jun-Jul) LSN (Aug-Sep) Select the most recently matured leaves from non-fruiting, non-expanding spurs PT2, PT3, PT4, Cl, Mo, NO3-N with ratings available
ARTICHOKES	EBL-P FBL-P (midharvest) HAR-P Select the lower 6 inches of the petiole PT5, PT5A, and PT6 with ratings available for petioles HAR-L PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available for leaves and/or petioles
ARUGULA	MRM-L (Select the most recently matured leaf) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
ASPARAGUS	MFG-T (Top 12" of fern) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available MID-T (Top 4" of fern) PT5 with ratings available
AVOCADOS	LSN-L (mid Aug-mid Oct. Select 5 to 7 month old spring cycle terminal leaves) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
BANANAS	HAR-L (center strip of 2nd to 3rd fully developed leaf from the top) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
BASIL	No code, but select most recently matured leaves PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
BEANS	EBL-B (trifoliate blade (excluding petiole) of most recently matured leaf) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available ESN-P (Petiole only) PBL-P EBL-P PT5 with ratings available
BEET, TABLE	ESN-L (5 weeks after seeding) PRE-L (9 weeks after seeding) PT2, PT3, PT4, SO4-S, Mo, Cl with ratings available
BEET, SUGAR	ESN-P (6 to 8" of growth) MSN-P or MSN-B PRE-P (5-6 weeks before harvest) PT5 with ratings available for petioles PT2, PT3, PT4, SO4-S, Mo, Cl with ratings available for blades
BLUEBERRIES	MSN-L (midshoot leaves off of current season's growth, near/at harvest, Jun-Aug) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
BROCCOLI	BUT-L PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available ESN-M BUT-M PRE-M PT5 available with ratings
BRUSSELS SPROUTS	MID-L or MID-M (midgrowth, early sprouts) PRE-M (Preharvest) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available for leaves PT5 with ratings available for midribs
CABBAGE	HEA-L or HEA-M (2 to 3 month old wrapper leaves or midribs) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available for leaves PT5 with ratings available for midribs
CANEBERRIES / RASPBERRIES / BLACKBERRIES / BOYSENBERRIES	ESN-L (pre/early bloom) MSN-L (Jun-Aug) Select the most recently matured leaves from laterals of primo canes PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
CACAO	EGF-L (pod filling) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo with ratings available
CANOLA	PRE-L (most recently matured (5th) leaf from the tip) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo with ratings available
CARROTS	MSN-L (tallest leaf,discarding petiole) MSN-P (petiole of tallest leaf) Select leaves after 4" tall/60 days after seeding PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available for leaves PT5 with ratings available for petioles
CAULIFLOWER	ESN-L or ESN-M BUT-L or BUT-M PRE-L or PRE-M (Select one week before harvest) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available for leaves PT5 with ratings available for petioles
CELERY / CELERIAC	MID-L or MID-P (4 to 6 weeks after seeding most recently matured leaf or petiole below te 1st node) PRE-L or PRE-P (petiole or leaf above the 1st node) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl, with ratings available for leaves PT5 with ratings available for petioles
CHARD	ESN-L (5 weeks after seeding) PRE-L (9 weeks after seeding) PT2, PT3, PT4, with ratings available
CHESTNUTS	MSN-L (most recently matured leaves) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
CHINESE CABBAGE	HEA-L HEA-M PT2, PT3, PT4 with ratings available for leaves PT5 with ratings available for midrib
CILANTRO	No code but select most recently matured leaf PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
CITRUS	LSN-L (terminal spring-flush leaves from non-fruiting shoots in Sep-Oct) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
CLOVER	EBL-T (top third of plant) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
COFFEE	NON-L (non-bearing, 4th pair from tips) BEA-L (bearing, 4th pair from tips between flowering and cherry ripening) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
CONIFERS	LSN-S (whole seedlings, including washed roots) Mature plants, no code, but select terminal 3" cuttings from current season's growth, mid Sep - mid Dec PT2, PT3, PT4, with ratings available
CORN, GRAIN/COMMODITY/SILAGE	ESN-W (6-12" tall, whole seedling) MSN-L (Pretassel, 3rd leaf/45-80 days) TAS-L (Tasseling, opposite/below primary ear) SIL-L (Silking, opposite/below primary ear) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available ESN-M (6-12" tall, select basal 4-5" of midrib) MSN-M (3-6' tall) TAS-M (Tasseling/silking, select midrib above primary ear) PT5 with ratings available
CORN, SWEET	TAS-L (6th leaf from base) SIL-L (leaf opposite 1st ear) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available ESN-M (6-12" tall, select basal 4-5" of midrib) MSN-M (3-6' tall) TAS-M (tasseling/silking) PT5 with ratings available
COTTON	FSQ-P (before early July) EBL-P FBL-P or FBL-L (end of July) FOB-P (end of Aug) PRE-P (mid Sep) Select the most recently mature leaf and/or petiole at all stages of growth PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available for FBL-L only PT5 with ratings available for petioles
CRANBERRIES	LSN-T (tops above fruiting uprights on current season growth, mid-Aug to mid-Sep) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
CUSTARD APPLE/CHERIMOYA	LSN-L (most recently matured leaves from non-fruiting shoots, Nov-Dec) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
EGGPLANTS	MRM-B (Select blade (no petiole!) from the most recently matured leaf at the small fruit stage) PT2, PT3, PT3, Mo, Cl with ratings available
FEIJOAS / GUAVAS	MSN-L (3rd pair of leaves back from fruiting terminals, Jul-Aug) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
FIGS	APR-L MAY-L MSN-L (Jun-Jul) LSN-L (Aug-Sep) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
FILBERTS /HAZELNUTS	MSN-L (most recently matured midshoot leaves from current season's growth, Jul-Aug) PT2, PT3, PT4, with ratings available
FLOWERS	No code, but select most recently matured leaves PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
GARLIC / CHIVES	ESN-L (before bulbing) BUL-L LSN-L (post-bulbing) Discard lower white section of most recently matured (tallest) leaves PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
GINSENG	No code, but select most recently matured leaves PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
GRAPES	PBL-P or B or L (Before bloom, select only from the unshaded leaves) BLM-P or B or L (Select opposite the basal cluster when 2-3 calyptras fallen off) MSN-P or B or L (Berry filling, 2nd leaf away from last cluster) VER-P or B or L (Berry softening and coloring. Select 6th to 7th leaf from the growing tip) HAR-P or B or L (Select most recently matured leaves) Petioles are better for determining Nam Cl toxicities Blades are better for determining B toxicities Ratings available for PT2, PT3, PT4, PT6, Mo, Cl, NO3-N PT5, PT5A not recommended for petioles
GRASS / PASTURE / TIMOTHY / ORCHARD GRASS	No code, but select whole tops. PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
HOPS	JUN-P JUL-P AUG-P Select petioles from most recently matured leaves on main vine, 5 to 6 ft from ground. NO3 ratings only
KIWIFRUIT	MAY-P or MAY-L (Select 1st or 3rd leaf beyond fruit on fruiting vines) MSN-P or MSN-L (Select mid-cane leaves on non-bearing vines) NOV-P or NOV-L PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available for leaves PT5 available for petioles
LETTUCE, GREENHOUSE	MRM-L PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
LETTUCE / ENDIVE	ESN-L or ESN-M (4th to 6th leaf stage) HEA-L or HEA-M HAR-L or HAR-M (select most recently matured leaves or midribs) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available for leaves PT5 available for ratings with midribs FES-M FHE-M FHA-M Fall crops - NO3-N ratings only
LITCHI	No code, but select most recently matured leaves
MANGOES	No code, select most recently matured leaves in Jan-Feb, just prior to flowering PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
MACADAMIAS	No code, but select leaves from 2nd whorl below bud before new flush PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
MELONS / CANTALOUPES / PUMPKINS / CUCUMBERS / GREENHOUSE CUCUMBERS/ CUCURBITS / WATERMELONS	VEG-P OR VEG-L EFL-P OR EFL-L BUL-P OR BUL-L HAR-P OR HAR-L Select the most recently matured leaves PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available for leaves PT5 with ratings available for petioles
PUMPKINS, GIANT	EFL-L (Select the most recently matured leaves from a vine PT2, PT3, PT4 with ratings available
MINT	EBL-L (Select leaves from top 6" of first unbranched stem) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available ESN-S MAY-S JUN-S JUL-S AUG-S Select top 6" of first unbranched stem, stripped of leaves NO3-N ratings only
NECTARINES / PEACHES / FREEST PEACHES / CLING PEACHES / ASIAN PEARS/APPLES	MAR-L APR-L MAY-L MSN-L (Jun-Jul LSN (Aug-Sep) Select basal to midshoot leaves from current season's fruiting shoots PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
OLIVES	MSN-L LSN-L Select basal to midshoot leaves from current season's fruiting shoots PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
ONIONS	ESN-P or ESN-L MSN-P or MSN-L LSN-P or LSN-L PT5 with ratings available for petiole PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available for leaf ESN-R (washed roots before bulb enlargement) NO3-N only - more reliable than leaves For this crop only, sample the most recently matured leaf for both "petiole" and "leaf"
ORNAMENTALS	No code, but select most recently matured leaves for general guidelines Ratings are available for specific ornamental plants PT2, PT3, Pt4 with ratings available
PALMS	No code, but select middle leaflets from most recently matured leaves, discarding the petiole/midrib PT2. PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
PAPAYAS	PBL-P (select petioles from the most recently matured leaves) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
PARSLEY	No code, but select the most recently matured leaves PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
PASSIONFRUIT	MSN-L (Select the most recently matured leaves on well developed lateral vines) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
PEAS	EBL-L (Select the most recently matured leaves) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
PECANS	MSN-L (July) LSN-L (Aug-Sep) Select paired midshoot leaflets (not entire leaves!) from non-fruiting shoots PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
PEPPERS / GH PEPPERS	MRM-L (Select the most recently matured leaves) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
PEPPERS, SWEET / HOT / CHILI	VEG-P or VEG-L EFL-P or EFL-L EGF-P or EGF-L PRE-P or PRE-L Select the most recently matured leaves or petioles PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available PT5 with ratings available for petioles
PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (PASTURE)	MRM-L (Select most recently matured leaves from actively growing plants) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo with ratings available
PERSIMMONS	LSN-L (Most recently matured leaves from non-fruiting shoots in Sep-Oct) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
PINEAPPLES	EFL-L (Most recently matured leaf at early inflorescence, discarding white base) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
PISTACHIOS	MAR-L APR-L MAY-L MSN-L (Jun-Jul) LSN-L (Aug-Sep) Select sub-terminal leaflets from leaves located midway on non-bearing branches PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
POMEGRANATES	NO OFFICIAL DATA LSN-L (Select most recently matured leaves from non-fruiting branches) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
POTATOES	ESN-P or ESN-L (prebloom - 50 days after planting) MSN-P or MSN-L (full bloom - 70 days after planting) LSN-P or LSN-L (90 days after planting) Select the most recently matured leaves, or petioles PT6 with ratings available for petioles (PT5 not recommended) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
RADISH	No code but select most recently matured leaves at midseason PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo with ratings available
RICE/ WILD RICE	MIT-L (May-Jun, 30-55 days) MAT-L (Jun-Jul, 55-65 days) PAI-L (Panicle initiation, 60-80 days) BOO-F (booting/heading) Select the Y or flag leaf, depending on the development stage Ratings available for PT2, PT3, PT4, Cl, Mo, soluble K, soluble PO4-P PT5 or PT5A not recommended
ROSEMARY	No code, but select 2" to 3" long cuttings in summer PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
SAFFLOWER	ESN-L (Midstem leaves) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl available for leaves only ESN-S (8"-12" bolted) PBL-S (1st bud) EBL-S (1st open flower) Select stem half way down, discarding leaves NO3-N, Sol K available for stem
SORGHUM / MILO	ESN-W (12" tall, whole plant) MSN-L (37-65 days, most recently matured leaf) HEA-L (2nd to 3rd leaf below head) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
SOYBEANS	EBL-L PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
SPINACH	ESN-L (30-50 days after planting) PRE-L (mature) MID-P (30-50 days after planting) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available PT5 with ratings available for petioles
SQUASH	EFL-L (Select the most recently matured leaf including the petiole) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available For other stages of growth, consider using "melon," a closely related species
STRAWBERRIES	MSN-P or MSN-L or MSN-B (for SO₄-S only) select leaves, petioles, or blades at the early fruiting stage PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo with ratings available for leaves PT6, PT5, Cl with ratings available for petioles
SUDAN GRASS	No code, but select whole tops, 5 weeks between clippings PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
SUGARCANE	MSN-L (4th to 6th leaf from top) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available for whole leaf MSN-N Total N only, dicard midrib
SUNFLOWERS	PBL-L (Select 3rd to 4th leaf below flower bud) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
SWEET POTATOES	MSN-P or MSN-L VEG-P (NO3-N only) BUL-P (NO3-N only) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available for leaves only PT5 with ratings available for MSN-P
TOBACCO	PBL-L (40-80 days after emergence) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
TOMATOES / CANNING / PROCESSING / CHERRY	VEG-P or VEG-L EFL-P or EFL-L (Fruit is 1" in diameter) EGF-P or EGF-L (Fruit is 1" in diameter) ERF-P or ERF-L (Fruit is 10-20% red) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available for whole leaves (including petiole) PT5 with ratings available for petioles (PT5A not recommended)
TOMATOES, FRESH / MARKET / TRELLIS	VEG-P or VEG-L EFL-P or EFL-L (Fruit is 1" in diameter) ERF-P or ERF-L (Fruit is 10-20% red) FRF-P or FRF-L (Fruit is 100% red) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available for whole leaves (including petiole) PT5 with ratings available for petioles (PT5A not recommended)
TOMATOES, GREENHOUSE	MRM-L PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
TURF	No code, but specify variety for accurate ratings PT2, PT3, PT4, Cl with ratings available
VETCH	PBL-T (Pre-flowering, upper tops) PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
WALNUTS	MAR-L APR-L MAY-L MSN-L (June-July) LSN-L (Aug-Sept) Select terminal leaflets from non-fruiting fully expanded midshoot spur leaves PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available
WHEAT / BARLEY / OATS GRAIN / MIXED GRAIN	ESN-W or ESN-U (U is 2" stem underground) TIL-T or TIL-S (S is 2" stem aboveground) JNT-T or JNT-S (T is top four leaves) BOO-T or BOO-S HEA-T PT5 with ratings available for U and S PT2, PT3, PT4, Mo, Cl with ratings available for W and T