In-field, real-time leaf-nutrient analysis is now possible thanks to a new handheld leaf scanner by Senseen.
The French company’s Nutriscope scanner is described as “your laboratory and agronomist advisor in your pocket” and claims to provide insights into plant stress, health and overall vitality.
Similar to a leaf-sap analysis conducted through a lab, this scanner provides information on the macro and micronutrients present in the leaf, along with leaf pH, electrical conductivity and a stress index.
However, rather than taking leaf samples, sending them to a lab and waiting for the results, the information is available instantly to the user.
The scanner can currently be used on wheat, maize, potatoes and oilseed rape. Other fruits and vegetables are also available, and the company aims to add further crops, including beet and grass, to its list in the near future.
How to use
Measurements should be taken when leaves are dry. They should also be carried out early in the morning, before the crop has started to grow for the day, on the youngest fully unfurled leaves. At least 15 different plants should be measured to get a representative sample.
To take a measurement, the leaf scanner is connected to the company’s smartphone app and clamped onto a leaf. A reading through near-infrared (NIR) light technology, capturing the reflection of light from the leaf, is then taken with the click of a button on the app.
The scans are uploaded and processed before the results are displayed on the app, allowing the farmer or agronomist to make real-time decisions, such as applying more fertiliser or to include a specific trace element in the next spray application.
An AI tool can also analyse your nutrient results, interpret the data and provide possible explanations for the results from a database of scientific literature on minerals and trace elements.
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