Press Release:
Using a field spectroradiometer to measure nitrogen content in vegetation

Lawrence, MA – May 4, 2017 – Using a field spectroradiometer such as the Spectral Evolution PSR+™ or the RS-3500, a researcher can get an estimate of nitrogen content in a plant or a canopy for a fast overview of plant health. Like phosphorous, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, nitrogen is a nutrient crucial to photosynthesis and affects the production of plant chlorophyll. All nutrient deficiencies in some way affect chlorophyll content with a generally increased reflectance in the visible wavelengths (400-700nm) and the infrared (700-1100nm). In general, nutrient deficiency of any kind will represent a chlorophyll loss and a shift in the position of the “red edge” to a shorter wavelength.

The red edge is usually situated around 720nm. For nitrogen deficient plants, the red edge may be closer to 700nm and the actual slope of the red edge should be slightly steeper (signifying higher reflectance of the sample) than normal for a healthy plant. It is also possible to estimate total plant nitrogen using spectral reflectance measurements at the red at 671nm and the NIR at the 780nm wavelength.

The PSR+ and RS-3500 are both portable full range, UV-VIS-NIR instruments with high resolution and low noise. DARWin™ SP Data Acquisition software includes 19 vegetation indices in a pull down menu, including the NDVI and Red/Green indices which can be used to determine the health of a plant or a canopy. The PSR+ provides the field researcher with the option of using direct attach lenses for standoff measurements or a fiberoptic cable with FOV lenses, a contact probe, sphere, pistol grip, our unique leaf clip and other accessories. The RS-3500 is equipped with a fiber optic cable and works with all our accessories including FOV lenses. Both instruments offer auto-exposure, auto dark correction, and auto-shutter for one touch operation.

By assessing nitrogen deficiency quickly in the field, an accurate judgement can be made about adding additional nitrogen to crops or forage pasture. Measurement by a field spectroradiometer is rapid, non-destructive and requires no chemicals.

For more information:
http://www.spectralevolution.com/applications_nitrogen.html

About SPECTRAL EVOLUTION
Established in 2004, SPECTRAL EVOLUTION is a leading manufacturer of laboratory and handheld portable spectrometers, spectroradiometers and spectrophotometers. SPECTRAL EVOLUTION spectrometers are used worldwide for many mission-critical lab and field applications in mining, remote
sensing, vegetative studies, ground truthing, environmental and climate studies, developing satellite calibrations, and more, due to their reliable, robust, rugged design and user-friendly one-touch features.

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Press Contact
Nicolas Venjean
Marketing & Sales
978-687-1833
Nicolas.Venjean@spectralevolution.com
SPECTRAL EVOLUTION
26 Parkridge Road, Suite 104
Haverhill, MA 01835 USA
www.spectralevolution.com