Optical Sensors and There Correlation To Active Nitrate Levels In Corn.

Response of crops to available nutrients is often affected by environmental factors, such as water availability and soil temperature.  For examples, uptake of plant essential nutrients may be curtailed by low soil temperatures, or encouraged by just optimum moisture conditions.  Optical sensors are now used to do on-the-spot analyses of active nitrate levels in growing crops.  During my summer internship at Landmark Services Cooperative, I used this new technology in corn (Zea mays L.) and correlated the results with plant tissue tests to discover if there was a correct correlation.