Portable Light Element Analysis for Nutritious Crop Management.

Portable XRF is generally used for on-site soil investigations of heavy metals caused by anthropogenic pollution and their migration due to climate change or catastrophic geological and extreme weather events. This presentation describes portable X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzers that are also capable of light element measurements and sophisticated spectral analysis. These features expand the use of portable and handheld XRF to on-site efficacy studies of light-element fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and other treatments. They enable scientists to investigate plant uptake and the mobility of nutrients, such as magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, potassium and calcium. Handheld XRF analyzers can even be used to monitor light element (phosphorus) fertilizer run-off.

The theory and hardware of portable XRF technology will be described. Data presented will include optimal sample presentation methods for quantitative analysis, the creation of reference samples, the analysis of light element nutrients (phosphorus, sulfur, calcium) in soybeans, the dispersion of light elements (potassium, calcium) within and on produce from treatments or uptake.