UT Research Supporting Tennessee Corn Growers

Sap Analysis: A New Tool for Plant Health

Plant tissue testing has long been the standard method for assessing crop nutrient levels. However, Dr. Avat Shekoofa and her team at UTK are developing a sap sampling system using a new technique to better understand plant nutrient uptake and concentration through the season. Unlike tissue testing, which can only provide historical data, sap analysis reflects current conditions in the plant, providing farmers with real-time insights that allow them to address nutrient deficiencies before they impact yield proactively. Additionally, sap flow measurements can provide insights into water-deficit stress, helping farmers optimize irrigation practices and reduce the risk of drought-related crop losses.

Furthermore, Dr. Shekoofa's team is working on a web-based platform that will allow producers to access specific sap analysis data by field location. This resource will give corn growers the necessary information to make timely, data-driven nutrient and water management decisions.

The UT Variety Testing Program and Dr. Shekoofa's plant sap analysis research are invaluable resources for Tennessee corn farmers. The work of UTK researchers provides farmers with the knowledge and tools needed to enhance yield, improve sustainability, and stay competitive in a changing agricultural landscape. As these projects evolve, Tennessee Corn is proud to support and share the latest innovations with our farming community, helping them thrive today and into the future.

For more information on the research by the faculty, staff, PhD, and graduate students at The University of Tennessee, Visit AgResearch.Tennessee.edu/our-research.