Leaf sampling (FAO guide)

The objective of leaf sampling is to get an AVERAGE (representative sample) of trees, not
the best or the worst. The 40 trees per hectare samples can be bulked and three composite
samples made to reduce analysis costs. A minimum of 100 leaves is needed for each
composite sample.

Figure 24. Leaf sampling

Sample the third or fourth pair of leaves from the tip of an actively growing branch.
Do not count new leaves if they are not fully expanded (Figure 24).
Sample at the same time/growth stage each year, before flowering.
Sample a minimum of 40 trees per block across a block size of two to four hectares.
Sample diagonally across the block.
Sample average trees only. Do not sample obviously sick, excessively healthy or
odd/unusual coffee trees.
Sample in the morning where possible when leaves are the most turgid (full of
water).
Use CLEAN HANDS. Do not smoke while sampling and make sure hands are free of
fertilizer, soil etc.
Do not sample when leaves are wet as the paper sample bags will break!
Do not sample after any application of foliar fertilizer sprays.
Areas of different tree size, age, soil types, fertilizer or other major differences
should be treated as separate samples.
Properly label all samples and laboratory sheets.
Samples are to be stored in paper (not plastic) bags. Keep leaves cool but do not
freeze!
Samples need to be dried if they are not sent for analysis within one to two days.
This is normally done at the laboratory at 60 to 65C until dry and brittle.

Pre-flowering is preferred sampling time if only one sample is taken each year. More
frequent sampling (every four months) is highly desirable for large plantations, especially if
nutritional problems occur.
 Leaf sampling survey form (Note: This sampling forms is for up to 28 different fields of separate leaf sampling)

Project name: Location: Farmer coop name:

Surv- Homogeneity Homogeneity of leaves
Farm Farmers Survey Wea- No.Field No.Leaves Main leaf Main leaf Intensity leaf diseases
eyors of leaf colors with diseases to healthy
no. name date ther sampled sampled colors diseases (high to low)
name (high to low) leaves (high to low)