What does colour have to do with the health of your crop?

Farmers more than anyone feel the pressure to improve their farming methods more than ever before.

Larger farms, less labour, increased productivity, reduced prices and green sustainable practices seem to be a set of contradictions that can be resolved.

Soon after the widespread introduction of fertilisers, it became clear that less is more, because more was running over as excess into water systems, rivers and reticulation plants. But how much fertiliser is the correct amount?

Scientists were able to calculate how much of a particular chemical was the correct dose for a particular crop under laboratory conditions, but what about on the actual farm? Soon Chemical Mapping became a necessary tool to understand the ever varying land, even on a single modest farm.

Further research found a direct link between Chlorophyll content in the plant and its health. By measuring the RVI or Ratio Vegetative Index, plant leaf health can be determined. Part of the determination is a lack of Nitrates.

With this information, and a chemical map of the land, as well as the known properties of the actual fertiliser being used, it is possible to optimise fertiliser dosage quickly, reliably and efficiently.

The Konica Minolta Chlorophyll Meter SPAD-502 Plus is the local benchmark for this application. Due to it’s power and features it’s no wonder the SPAD-502 Plus has become our most sold colour measurement instrument. Used by farmers, fertiliser manufacturers and crop researchers the SPAD-502 Plus is a rapid, reliable and rugged tool for both field and laboratory work.