An innovative soil nutrient monitoring device has introduced a groundbreaking update, enabling the accurate measurement of nitrogen availability in real time.

Precision agriculture company Paul-Tech updated its innovative soil station – which monitors nutrient movement through the soil – in a move it hopes will transform crop nutrient management and fertiliser use.

The development provides readings on a per-hectare level and Paul-Tech says this is the first time such data is available to farmers through a reliable and proven nutrient-monitoring system.

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It takes into consideration the amount of nitrogen applied as fertiliser and the naturally occurring nitrogen in the field to calculate the level of N available to the plants at any point in time.

The system works by monitoring and analysing the differing behaviour of anions and cations in the soil to determine the movement of nitrogen.

It can help farmers make more informed decisions about fertiliser applications, as well as alert them to incidences such as excessive leaching due to weather events.

According to Eve Plakk, Paul-Tech’s product manager, the development is a direct result of feedback from customers.

 “One of the most frequently asked questions from our clients has been whether it’s possible to see nitrogen quantities in kilograms per hectare. We’ve reached a point in product development where we can show this – and not just total nitrogen, but the portion that is accessible to plants.”

“It’s a major step toward ensuring every fertilisation decision is informed and justified,” says Eve.

Mikk Plakk, chief executive of the company, added that the ability to monitor nitrogen in real time was “globally unique”.

“Various sensor technologies have been tested in the past to measure nitrate nitrogen in situ, ranging from multispectral cameras (NIR technologies) to ion-selective electrodes.

“But none of these solutions have proven reliable in real agricultural soils – they require frequent recalibration or only function within a very narrow moisture range.

“However, we can now collect this data and incorporate it into the graph view within our system.”