Electrical Conductivity Monitoring

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Enhancing Crop Management with Electrical Conductivity Monitoring

What is Electrical Conductivity (EC)?
Electrical Conductivity (EC) might sound technical, but it’s really just a way to measure how well soil or water can conduct electricity. Why does this matter to you as a grower? Because it helps you understand the concentration of salts and nutrients in the soil or water your plants rely on. Focusing on Pore EC is particularly important. This measurement directly reflects the salt levels in the water your plants absorb, expressed in milliSiemens per centimeter (mS/cm). Unlike bulk EC, which takes into account everything in the soil, Pore EC zeroes in on what your plants are actually drinking. By keeping an eye on Pore EC, you get a clearer picture of your soil health and irrigation practices. This knowledge empowers you to make smarter decisions about fertilizing and watering, ultimately leading to healthier crops and better yields. So, knowing your EC can really help you grow!

To delve deeper into our technology, we have an insightful article written by a plant scientist that explains our EC technology in-depth. This piece is based on a recent trial and showcases the research conducted to perfect our approach. You can find this valuable resource at this link for more information.
How Do We Measure EC?
We measure Electrical Conductivity (EC) using specialized sensors designed to check the conductivity of your soil or irrigation water. These sensors provide real-time data, so you can keep a continuous eye on EC levels. Our system processes this data based on your specific soil type and presents it in a clear, easy-to-understand format, highlighting crucial thresholds for nutrients and potential salinity issues.
Using EC Data for Better Decisions
Keeping an eye on your EC (Electrical Conductivity) levels is key to providing the right nutrients for your plants. For strawberry growers, here’s what to look out for:

High EC (above 1.8 mS/cm): If your readings go above this level in tabletop setups, it might mean you have too much salt in the soil. It’s a good idea to flush the soil with extra irrigation to wash away those salts and keep your plants happy.
Low EC (below 1 mS/cm): If your EC drops below this mark, it’s time to boost your nutrient levels. Adding more nutrients will help your plants stay strong and healthy. By following these simple tips, you can adjust your irrigation and fertilization to ensure your crops get the best care possible, leading to better resource management and impressive results!
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What Are the Sensors Needed?
To keep tabs on Electrical Conductivity, you’ll need:

Soil Moisture, Temperature and EC Sensor
This sensor measures Pore EC, giving you insights into nutrient availability and salinity in the soil’s water content. Unlike bulk EC, it focuses on what your plants can actually use, providing precise data for your irrigation and fertilization needs.
What's Included in Your Subscription:
Our service offers everything you need for precise, dependable data and successful crop management. Start with our basic package at $8.99 per sensor/connection, including:

  • Dashboard Access with Advanced Analytics: Enjoy seamless access to your personalized dashboard designed for your specific crop, featuring advanced analytics that simplify data interpretation and provide valuable insights into your irrigation, nutrient management, and crop health.
  • Data Accuracy and Reliability: We manage and protect your data to ensure it remains accurate and reliable, providing you with the essential insights needed to support your crop goals and make informed decisions.
  • Customer Service: Our dedicated team is here to provide guidance and answer any questions you may have throughout the season. We’re committed to ensuring you have the assistance you need, so you can focus on your crops.

    • For additional support, you can enhance your subscription with these add-ons:

  • Training and Support ($10/month): Receive comprehensive training and ongoing assistance, including 1-on-1 personalized weekly meetings. This support helps you understand and effectively use data, adopt better data practices overall, and maximize the value of our system, empowering you to make informed decisions for your crops.
  • Sensor Repair and Replacement Service ($16/month): Our proactive monitoring ensures that any faulty sensors are quickly repaired or replaced. With our Sensor Repair and Replacement add-on, your sensors are insured, guaranteeing optimal performance and high uptime. If any issues arise, we’ll handle repairs or replacements promptly, ensuring a continuous flow of critical data for effective crop management.

With these flexible subscription options, you can begin with our basic package and expand with these add-ons as needed—allowing you to focus on what matters most: your crops.