For fifteen years our Crop Diagnostic School has provided field scouting and diagnosis training annually for 300-400 agronomists at the University of Manitoba research station near Carman.  For the past 7 years nutrient depleted sand boxes have been used to display deficiencies of P, K and S in crops of corn, soybeans, sunflowers, canola, wheat, flax and alfalfa.  Micronutrient deficiencies evaded our best efforts to impose them.  In 2010, 4 hydroponic beds were established in the field using silica sand and with circulation of appropriate nutrient solutions. Visual deficiencies of Cu, Zn and B were created in wheat, canola, soybeans and dry beans. 

Participants at the Crop Diagnostic School earn CCA continuing education credits through their participation in this lesson and completion of a quiz.