Spectrum's Field Scout CM-1000 chlorophyll meter, available from John Morris Scientific, detects stress earlier than visual monitoring for healthier plant growth.
It is based on an exclusive patent license from NASA, the Field Scout CM-1000 chlorophyll meter uses 'point-and-shoot' technology to instantly reveal relative chlorophyll content.
Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight and uses its energy to synthesise carbohydrates from CO2 and water.
This process is known as photosynthesis and is the basis for sustaining the life process of all plants.
Nitrogen is a key element in the chlorophyll molecule that enhances photosynthesis.
For this reason, chlorophyll can be used as an index to gauge the nitrogen status of a plant.
The CM-1000 is an alternative to time-consuming and expensive laboratory tests for chlorophyll, as it measures relative 'greenness' of the plant by light reflectance.
The chlorophyll meter integrates a large 3.8cm diameter area at 30cm on a plant leaf or an 11.4cm diameter spot on turf grass at 1.2m.
Laser guides outline the edges of the measured sample area of leaf or canopy.
An ambient light sensor automatically corrects measurements for varying light conditions.
The handheld meter calculates and displays a running average for multiple readings while simultaneously recording each sample in the built-in data logger for detailed analysis later at your PC.