New Sensor Presented for the First Time at Agritechnica

“Optifert soil nutrient sensor“ from Pessl Instruments (Austria) has been awarded with the silver medal at a prestigious agriculture show in Europe, Agritechnica which will be held in Hanover/Germany from 12-16 November 2013.

“Optifert soil nutrient sensor” is a soil nutrient sensor for the combined measurement of macronutrients (Nitrate NO₃, Ammonium NH₄, Potassium K and Phosphate PO₄) at the field. The provided data allows on-demand fertiliser application.

At the moment there is no mobile and user-friendly system on the market, which allows measuring the concentrations of all these soil nutrients in laboratory quality right in the field in close real time.

The used Lab-on-a-Chip technology enables users to perform complex chemical laboratory analysis on small microchips. The central part of the measurement system is a replaceable chip with a tiny analysis channel with a diameter in the sub-mm range. Unlike conventional on-site sensors (e.g. ion selective electrodes for pure nitrate measurement) this sensor detects various sample compounds, as the sensing principle generally applies to all ions in liquids. The analysis can distinguish all macronutrients NO₃, NH₄, K and PO₄ in a single run, within 120 sec. after the soil liquid sample is placed on the chip.

This soil nutrient sensor presents a powerful tool for classic manual fertiliser application as well as for modern fertigation systems. The sensor can also be integrated in an automatic fertigation system where the application of fertiliser is based on the soil nutrient sensor data supported by soil moisture and climate data.

Visit Pessl Instruments in Hall 17A, Booth 25a.