Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1971

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Plant Science

Abstract

Plant analysis has developed into a diagnostic tool for measuring the nutrient status of crops. Plant analysis promises to greatly supplement the methods now available for estimating nutrient sufficiency, and as a result, increase the yield of crops. For small grains, the sampling time recommended for plant analysis is the reproductive stage ·of growth. This period has been used to determine nutrient concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn, Mn, and Fe. Much concern exists with regards to the accuracy of plant analysis in predicting the nutrient status of small grain plants. Concern spring wheat, and barley under various fertilizer treatments. Various N-P fertilizer treatments have not always showed comparable increases in N and P concentration of the small grain plants· at the boot to bloom stages of growth. In trying to explain the results, such terms as dilution or the dilution effect have been used. Although these terms are used, they tell us nothing about the nutrient status of the plants. Because of the lack of information available on plant analysis of small grains and the concern over values obtained in the past, a field study was undertaken to study the nutrient concentrations of small grains at different stages of growth. Another objective was to determine the stage of growth most reliable for indicating the nutrient sufficiency levels in the plant.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Growth (Plants)
Growth factors
Plant growth promoting substances

Number of Pages

68

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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