Plant health can be greatly affected by pH (acidic or basic), salinity (soluble salts), and alkalinity, yet growers often ignore these factors. It is easy to test for these three important parameters using a portable AGRI-METER with Soil Test Kit.
WHAT THE AGRI-METER AG-5 DOES:
Checks soil salinity
Checks water salinity
Checks correct fertilizer concentration
Checks boiler water conductivity
Automatic temperature compensation means no thermometers or adjustments
Only small amount of soil needed for tests
Budget priced
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Measurement Range: 0 - 5 millimhos (0 - 5000 microsiemens/micromhos)
Display: 2 1/2 inch taut-band shock resistant meter
Dimensions: 3.4 W x 4.5 D x 4.0 H in.
Weight: 1 lb.
Case Material: ABS
Cell Material: Chip and crack resistant polyethylene
Power: One 9-volt battery supplied
Battery Life: >2000 tests/1 year
Accuracy: Conductivity/TDS +/-2% full scale, pH +/-0.2 pH units
Repeatability: +/-1%
Conductivity Sensor: Upper electrode - Inconel, Lower electrode - Platinum
pH Sensor: KCl gel-filled
Operation Temperature: between 10-71'C/50-160'F
Temperature Compensation: Automatic (to 25'C) for conductivity samples between 10-71'C/50-160'F
SOILS
Optimum soil pH is essential for obtaining maximum efficiency from fertilizers and herbicides.
This is especially true for artificial growing media which, without buffering capability, are much more pH sensitive than natural soil. In addition, the pH of artificial soils can vary greatly when new, and must be adjusted (leached) before use.
Dissolved salts (salinity) in soil must also be monitored to guarantee healthy plants. Salt build-up in soil can be due to high TDS (total dissolved solids) in water, excess fertilizer, or poor drainage. Each plant has its own salinity tolerance level. If excessive salts accumulate in the soil, roots will take in little or no soil solution, resulting in reduced plant growth and quality.
FERTILIZER SOLUTIONS
Regular testing of conductivity insures that fertilizer solutions will contain the optimum level of salinity for maximum plant health and growth. If a fertilizer injection system is used, it can be easily checked with an AGRI-METER by taking a sample solution as it comes out of the end of the hose or 'spaghetti' irrigation tubes. Proper adjustment of the fertilizer injector can prevent these common problems: over or under feeding, plant damage and fertilizer waste.
WATER
Water pH can vary greatly from month to month because of rainfall effect on the aquifer. Irrigation water, if high in soluble salts, can increase soil salinity causing plant damage. AGRI-METER tests water pH and salinity easily and quickly, and readings are given directly in millimhos/conductivity.
The correct pH of water used in pesticide solutions is also important in order to insure maximum effectiveness and prevent pesticide 'break down'.
ALKALINITY tests are critical to proper pH adjustments of water and floral preservative solutions. The Soil Test Kit includes a simple and quick ppm alkalinity test.
CONDUCTIVITY TERMINOLOGY
Both AG-5 and AG6/PH AGRI-METERS are calibrated in millimhos, the term most widely used by growers to express electrical conductivity. Some charts may read in other units called micromhos. However, since one millimho equals 1,000 micromhos, conversion is easy. Parts per million (ppm) is also sometimes used. Conductivity/ppm fertilizer concentration tables can be obtained from your supplier, consultant, or university advisor.
