Description

Cost-effective solutions for horticulturalists and growers: soil parameter data logger

Comprehensive, multiparameter portable, datalogging soil meter and sensor to measure soil temperature, soil pH, moisture, soil electrical EC, soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. 3% detection accuracy. Suitable for all kinds of soil. The meter can store 200,000 pieces of data, has a recording capability and backlight option. The meter acts like an external drive when connected to the computer, so allowing data export.

Note that the term “pore water conductivity” is perhaps more precise terminology than soil EC or soil conductivity, as what’s actually being measured is the ability of the soil solution (the water and dissolved ions between soil particles) to conduct electricity. Brands like the WET Sensor (WET-2) are measuring the same physical parameter in the soil.

Applications:

1. Fertigation and Hydroponics: When growing plants in soilless media, nutrients are delivered through irrigation water (“fertigation”). The nutrient concentration is monitored and controlled by measuring both water content and pore water conductivity (EC). These measurements guide the automated or manual adjustment of liquid fertilizer injection rates into irrigation systems.
2. Soil Salinity Management: In situations where irrigation water contains high dissolved salt concentrations (such as recycled water or certain river sources), salts can accumulate in the soil over time. This soil salinization progressively reduces crop yields. Regular monitoring of soil conductivity provides early warning of increasing salt levels, allowing farmers to implement management strategies (like leaching or changing water sources) before crop damage occurs.
3. Container Media Management: For container-grown plants, nutrients may be supplied either through fertigation or Controlled Release Fertilizers (CRF). Since CRF release rates vary with temperature and moisture conditions, monitoring the pore water conductivity in the growing media provides objective data about nutrient availability. This measurement helps growers optimize fertilization timing and rates, replacing subjective assessment with quantitative data.
4. Direct Nutrient Monitoring: Using multi-probe sensors combines conductivity measurement, and direct measurement of key macronutrients (N, P, K) in the soil solution. While overall conductivity indicates total dissolved salts, these specific nutrient measurements enable precise tracking of individual nutrient availability and can guide targeted fertilizer applications rather than relying solely on general conductivity trends.
5. Soil pH: The multiparameter meter give a measure of the soil pH

For example, for strawberry

Here are the general optimal ranges for strawberry production:
pH: 5.5-6.8 (optimal around 6.2)
EC (soil solution): 1.0-1.5 mS/cm
For soilless/hydroponic growing: 1.2-1.8 mS/cm
Soil Moisture: 20-30% volumetric water content
Critical to maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging
NPK ranges (these vary by growth stage):

Nitrogen (N): 20-30 mg/L in soil solution
Phosphorus (P): 20-40 mg/L in soil solution
Potassium (K): 150-200 mg/L in soil solution

(Also measures as:

• N: 20-30 mg/kg
• P: 20-40 mg/kg
• K: 150-200 mg/kg)

Important notes:

These values are general guidelines – optimal levels can vary based on:

Growth stage (vegetative vs fruiting)
Growing medium (soil vs soilless)
Variety of strawberry
Environmental conditions

The N:K ratio should shift during the growing season:

Higher N during vegetative growth
Higher K during fruit development and ripening

Regular monitoring is important as strawberries are sensitive to both deficiencies and excesses, particularly of nitrogen.

Additional information

Download the soil meter manual

JXBS-3001-SUC-PT-Portable-Soil-Speed-PlatformV11

This soil meter measures NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), temperature, moisture and soil electrical conductivity (EC).

The stored information on the portable data logger can be exported to your computer.