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Leaf Sampling
- Sample and do leaf analyses annually.
- Healthy, fruit bearing trees should be sampled separately from stressed, non-bearing trees.
- Sample trees should represent an area with homogenous soil type and microclimate.
- Take leaf samples from terminal, non-bearing branches that do not show signs of a new flush and leaf samples should preferably have been exposed to direct sunlight.
- Collect 6 – 8 month old leaves (see illustration).
- Sample in the morning after dew has dried off.
- Mark sample trees clearly and use the same marked trees year after year and also for taking soil samples.
- Collect 4 leaves per tree at shoulder height so that there are roughly 80 leaves per sample representing a block that is not larger than 3 ha.
- Sample randomly (across the orchard) in the block from 20 trees on ≤ 3 ha.
- Sample different soil types, tree ages and cultivars separately.
- Keep the sample cool and send it to the laboratory within 24 hours of sampling.
- Place leaf samples in a paper bag or perforated plastic bag that is clearly marked with the farm name, reference to the orchard, sample number and sample date.
- Take the leaf samples to the same laboratory every year and send it in for analyses as soon as possible.