If a crop isn’t performing as planned, getting a soil or leaf tissue sample measured to identify nutrient shortcomings has usually involved sending samples into a lab for analysis, which is not always an ideal scenario when a more timely, in-season decision is needed.
Nutriscan is a hand-held piece of technology that aims to change that.
“When it comes to tissue sampling, most times in our industry we see an issue, we tissue-sample, we send it away, we wait a week and then conditions substantially change,” says Ben Sherk, regional account manager with ATP Nutrition.
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“So for us as agronomists, and everyone in the industry alike, if we can learn right then and there what is wrong with our crop, I believe it’s going to make our industry better to make informed decisions.”
Designed by ATP Nutrition, Nutriscan uses a near-infrared sensor to measure a range of macro- and micronutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, copper and zinc — the essentials for growing healthy crops.
After a leaf tissue sample is measured, the results are sent to an app called AgroCares on a user’s smartphone, on which they can see and assess where any nutrient deficiencies may lie.
“Having real-time results, especially with tissue and soil in-season, will help a farm, or a retail consultant, make better decisions for our industry,” Sherk adds.
The Nutriscan device is now programmed to identify nutrient deficiencies in corn, soybeans, wheat and canola crops. Other crops such as potatoes and some fruits are being planned for future consideration in its database, Sherk adds.
At Manitoba Ag Days in January, ATP Nutrition was awarded first prize in agronomics in the farm show’s Innovation Showcase. At the Western Canadian Crop Production Show, held in Saskatoon in January, ATP claimed top prize in that farm show’s Innovation Award program.
