WHAT IS A MONITORING PROGRAM:
A Crop Monitoring Program is a method of observing plant nutrient status throughout the growing season.  By obtaining plant nutrient information at all critical growing cycles, the grower can make full use of fertilizer inputs to achieve optimum yields.  Soil reaction and the salt content of a soil are two factors which are of extreme importance in evaluating its production potential for raspberry, strawberry, blackberry and blueberry crops.

TRACE MINERALS AND BERRY CULTURE:
Most berries are grown in acid soil with a pH of 5.0 - 6.0 and in acid soil, heavy metals are available to the plant.  Metal toxicity causes multiple direct and indirect effects in plants which concern practically all physiological functions.  The effect of heavy metal toxicity on root growth, water transport and transpiration are the main objective of the K Laboratories Monitoring Program.

The term "heavy metal" commonly refers to metals either with a specific weight higher than 5 g/cm3 or an atomic number above 20.  Heavy metals are a very homogeneous group of elements which greatly differ in their chemical properties and biological func tion.

Heavy metal availability induces an ion stress in plants clearly distinct from salt stress.  An excess of these metal ions or of soluble metal chelates may induce a series of biochemical and physiological alterations in the plants, such as (a) membrane damage (b) alteration of enzyme activities (c) and the inhibition of root growth. The secondary effects of heavy metal toxicity are such as disturbance of hormone balance, deficiency of essential nutrients inhibition of photosynthesis, change in photoassimilate translocation, and alteration of water relation.

In studies on metal toxicity and fertilization on berry plants, the K Laboratories Intensive Crop Monitoring Program helps to identify and eliminate any soil problems related to berry culture.

NITROGEN:

Nitrogen is another nutrient which occurs in soils and sediments chiefly as a complex organic substance, like ammonia, molecular nitrogen, nitrite and nitrate, and is most often monitored due to its variable nature. Due to a fluctuation in soil moisture and temperature, nitrogen loss can take place through leaching, volatilization of ammonia, or denitrification.  The K Laboratories Crop Monitoring Program can determine if adequate levels of plant nutrients are present at critical growth periods and help growers decide when and how much fertilizer nutrient is needed to maximize yield.  There are 14 different elements that are involved in the K Laboratories Crop Monitoring Program.  Quite often a complete analysis can detect a nutrient deficiency before symptoms appear in the plant Sulfur, boron, molybdenum deficiencies are hard to recognize visually.  Diagnosis of "hidden hunger" is often corrected by observing tissue in the Crop Monitoring Program.  It is observed that once nutrient deficiency symptoms appear, it is usually too late to avoid production loss.

K Laboratories offers an Intensive Crop Monitoring Program for all the crops including raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, blackberry and other high value crops.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Agronomist and Soil Scientist.  Our Agronomists are certified by many professional organizations, including the American Society of Professional Agricultural Consultants.

The K Laboratories Intensive Crop Monitoring Program provides growers with another management input which can be utilized in adjusting fertilization during both the active growing season and the following years crop.

Proper balanced fertilization on all berry plants is very important for the following years crop.  Complete and balanced fertilization of plants depends on factors such as fertilizer sources, fertilizer time, moisture, temperature conditions, fungicide program and soil types.  Loss of nitrogen is more serious in sandy soils than in clay soils.  Loss of potassium is also serious in acidic soils.  There are special nutrient interactions in soil such as phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, potassium, calcium, boron, iron, manganese, sodium, and molybdenum.  It is important to understand their relationship in soil before making fertilizer recommendations.

LEAF ANALYSIS - A PERFECT DIAGNOSTIC TOOL:
A normal healthy plant requires 16 elements for normal growth, root development and reproduction.  Plant growth will be restricted if too much of one or more elements are present including non-essential elements such as arsenic, aluminum, selenium and sodium.

The most important factor that should be remembered when sampling a field is that the sample should be representative of the garden.  In most cases, single samples should be avoided and a composite sample from a 2-5 acre field should be taken.  In some cases, when visual variability is obvious within an even smaller garden, each area should be sampled separately so the fertilizer recommendations can be given separately.

 SAMPLING LEAVES FOR NUTRIENT ANALYSIS:
In order for a plant analysis to be effective, considerable care must be given to collecting, preparing and sending plant tissue to the laboratory for analysis.

THE MAILING ENVELOPE:
K Laboratories International, Inc. provides mailing envelopes and forms for submitting tissue samples.  Instructions should be followed and a questionnaire filled out completely.  The questionnaire is an important communication between the grower and the laboratory.  Failure to supply all the information requested may limit full interpretation of an analysis.

SAMPLING AREA:
Randomly select 20-35 leaves from a sampling spot in a 2-5 acre field.  When a nutrient deficiency is suspected or abnormal growth is present, it is recommended that two samples be collected for analysis.  One from the affected area and one from the adjacent normal area.  A separate mailing kit will be needed for each sample.

LEAF SAMPLE COLLECTION - JUNE AND JULY OR AUGUST:
Collect the leaves in a new clean K Laboratories plant tissue bag.  Dusty or soil covered leaves or plants should be avoided.  If leaves have a slight dust cover, brush gently with a soft brush or perform a "quick rinse" with distilled water.  Do not prolong the quick rinse or use a soap solution as nutrient elements will be leached out of the tissue.  Do not include damaged, diseased or dead tissue of leaves or roots in your sample.  If you want them analyzed, send them in a separate packet.

SAMPLING SOIL WHEN COLLECTING TISSUE:
For diagnostic use, a good representative soil sample should be collected when problem areas exist in the field. Take one sample from the affected area and one sample from the adjacent normal area just as you would with the plant tissue.  Take cores of sub samples adjacent to plants that are selected for tissue sampling.

CARE AND HANDLING OF TISSUE SAMPLES:
The paper bags supplied by K Laboratories are ideal for collecting, drying and mailing samples.  Drop leaves into the open bag.  Allow the leaves to remain loose for air drying and mail it immediately to K Laboratories International, Inc. or leave the bag open after sampling and air dry for 48 hours and when the tissue is about as dry as cured hay, the sample is ready for mailing.

We will provide you with test results and recommendations which will help you diagnose problem areas and evaluate fertility practices within your field.

LEAF NITRATE MONITORING:
The management of nitrogen fertilization is one of the most important considerations in the production of optimum yield.  To much or to little nitrogen in plants would seriously reduce the yield.

The K Labs Nitrate Monitoring Program is a way to help you compensate for seasonal variances in nitrogen availability.  This will help you to avoid the application of excess nitrogen during critical growth periods.

SOIL SAMPLING AND HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS:
Sampling of the soil for evaluation is extremely important for new ground and established fields.  We have developed a complete dry and liquid fertilizer recommendation program for all types of soils.
To obtain a representative sample from a field, a large number of cores or sub samples must be taken.
 For most 2-5 acre fields, each composite sample should consist of a minimum of 25 to 30 cores.

If information is desired about specific spots or areas in a field, then a composite sample must be taken from that area.  The number of cores to take per composite sample however does not relate to the size of the area samples, but is related to the variability.  The more variable an area is, the more cores will be needed to get a good representative sample.  Mark each bag with a sample number.  Then prepare a map of the area sampled, noting the sample number on the map so you will remember the area from which the sample came when the results are returned.

FREQUENCY OF SAMPLING (SPRING & FALL SOIL TEST IS A MUST):
The frequency of sampling from a field is related to the amount of change that takes place.  We recommend fall soil sampling to correct phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and sulfur levels in the field and spring soil testing is very important for balance of soil fertility levels for optimum plant growth.

Sandy soils, low in organic matter, have little resistance (buffer) to change.  Heavy application of fertilizers, especially those high in nitrogen, in order to obtain high yields may change the lighter textured soils within a few months.  Such soils should be tested in the fall and spring in order to monitor changes and to avoid nutrient imbalances.
Remember, soil analysis is a source of information to guide you to the proper use of fertilizers and other soil amendment practices.  It is far better to take samples more frequently than might be needed than to error by waiting too long to obtain the information.

 SAMPLING EQUIPMENT:
There are several types of sampling tools: shovel, tile spade, prove and an auger, which all can be used.  However, the tile spade works best in new fields and the soil probe is easy to work in established fields.  The prove works rapidly and takes uniform size cores which is very important in taking composite soil samples.  A clean bucket (preferably plastic) is useful for collecting and mixing sub samples.  A back pack may be used for carrying composite samples.  K Laboratories quart size heavy wall plastic bags come with a wire tab for sealing.  These bags prevent contamination with other composite samples, etc. during transport until samples can be air dried.  Water proof felt-tip pens should be used to label these bags.

HOW TO TAKE CORRECT SUB SAMPLES FROM A FIELD:
When using a probe or an auger to take a sample, the most important factor to remember is to insert the tool to the same depth for each sample.  When using a shovel or a spade, the following procedures are recommended.  First, make a vertical cut 6-9 inches deep and discard it.  Proceed by making a second cut 1-3 inches behind the first to obtain the sample.  Next, slice a band of soil 1 to 3 inches wide with a knife and place it in a plastic bucket.  Discard any hard rock fragments larger than 1/2 to 3/4 inches in diameter.  It is important that each sub sample contribute about the same amount of material tot he composite soil sample.  Be consistent with the dimensions of each slice.

PREPARATION OF A COMPOSITE SOIL SAMPLE:
The sampling sites should be chosen in a random or zig-zag pattern in a given field.  When all 25-30 sub samples have been added to the plastic bucket, mix them thoroughly by stirring.  About 1/2 pound of the composite sample should be transferred in a K Laboratories soil bag.  Properly identify and label each sample, then send it to K Laboratories.

CROP MONITORING RESULTS AND TURN AROUND TIME:
Results and recommendations for samples analyzed for the K Labs Crop Monitoring Program, will be reported by fax or some times by telephone within 2-3 days of the receipt of the sample.  A report will be mailed to you the following day.  We like to stay informed or in touch during the growing season for any possible changes in the fertilizer program that maybe needed due to weather changes.

BENEFITS OF THE K Labs PROGRAM:
Benefits of the K Labs Crop Monitoring Program are numerous.  The bottom line is that it enables the grower to increase production and maximize profits in the following ways.

1.  Provide soil and foliar fertilizer recommendations when needed.

2.  Help growers understand their soil fertility levels during
    the growing season.

3.  Help growers to apply needed amount of fertilizer.

4.  Help growers to keep tract of all essential nutrients within optimum range
     during the growing season.

5.  Help avoid excessive aluminum and manganese levels during the season.

6.  Potassium is not stable in acid soils because of the acid nature of the soil.
     The K Labs Program helps to monitor potassium levels at various stages
     of growth and apply when needed.

7.  The K Labs Program will help you to minimize fertilizer loss, reduce environment
     pollution, balance root/shoot ratios of nitrogen and above all minimize
     nitrogen and potassium loss by providing optimum times for fertilizer application.
     Not  only will you maximize the efficiency of fertilizer use, you will be maximizing
     your chance of obtaining optimum yields.

8.  Helps growers to determine, in case of poor production, that plant nutrients were
     not the cause of poor yield since each and every nutrient was monitored and
     applied as needed.
 

9.  Above all, it gives growers peace of mind that plants are
    well fed and are having no nutrient deficiencies.

ENROLLING IN THE K LABS CROP MONITORING PROGRAM:

1.  Fill out the enclosed service agreement form.  K Labs will send you all the necessary       sampling material for the whole year.  K Laboratories has tested thousands of soil and leaf samples every year since 1980.  We have special soil and plant bags available.

2.  If you are not in the K Labs Program and have not tested your fields with K Laboratories,       take soil samples immediately and send them to K Laboratories.  Our recommendations will be based on a soil test to start the program.

References are available from growers who have used or are using the K Labs Program since 1983.

Let our laboratory take care of your field operation and nutrient needs, we won't disappoint you.  Call or write to :