They create a device that reduces costs for farmers

20/04/2015

The fertilizer is a key element in agriculture, since it is used to achieve optimum yields in crops. However, sometimes this causes damage, since producers apply too much fertilizer on the crop surface. In this way, and according to Deutsche Welle, the nitrate reaches the water table, whose waters accumulate too many nutrients unbalancing the ecosystem.

Likewise, the excess of nitrate increases the costs, for example, in the power stations of water supply, reason for which the European Commission has rebuked Germany, given that it exceeds the established European standards.

As a result of the above, scientists from the University of Bochum, Germany, developed a nitrate sensor that allows to measure in real time the precise requirements of fertilizer for crops.

Nicolas Plumére, from the Ruhr University in Bochum, developed the nitrate sensor, an easy-to-use device that is smaller than a smartphone. This, unlike the common methods, does not require sending data to the laboratory, so it saves money and time.

But that is not all, because, since the production of fertilizer is a process that consumes the 1% of the global energy demand, the invention of Nicolas Plumére also benefits the environment.

The nitrate sensor works similarly to an apparatus for measuring blood pressure. The farmer cuts a stem of the crop plants in order to obtain a tiny drop of sap, which is absorbed by a thin measuring rod impregnated with an enzyme that causes a chemical reaction.

"So we get a value that corresponds to the loss of nitrate", Said Plumére. In this way, the user can read directly on the device how much fertilizer he needs or how much he has left over to his crops.

The research team conducted test measurements with corn and wheat at the Electrochemical Research Center of the University of Bochum, with successful results. The procedure can be applied in other types of crops and is already in the process to obtain the patent.

Currently, the team is in negotiations with US companies. and Holland for its series production, since in the development of the nitrate sensor, global aspects were considered.

Currently, there are developing countries where above-average amounts of fertilizer are used, so, "there could be saved quietly half of the costs caused by the payment", Point out the Bochum scientists.

The manufacturing costs of each sensor are estimated at € 100 [US $ 107,36]. However, in order to have successful results, it is necessary to carry out regular checks to determine precisely the amount of fertilizer required.

"When the crops grow, a measurement should be made per week, in order to define if more fertilizer is needed, or if a new order is not necessary", The researchers indicate.

Source: Fruit Portal