Lualtek, located in Comiso, Italy, was established in 2021. The company quickly built a reputation for providing growers with the latest technological solutions. These recommendations resulted in growers achieving optimal crop yields and increased quality.
The results were improved by providing a comprehensive plug-and-play monitoring package that included AI technology, integrated sensors, and wireless networks.
The Importance of Pore Water Conductivity in Optimizing Growing Conditions
Lualtek has always known the importance of maintaining optimized growing media conditions. In addition to soil/substrate moisture levels, the pore water conductivity (ECp) status is a vital component to monitor.
Lualtek employs Delta-T Devices' WET150 SDI-12 Soil Sensor to ensure the installed systems perform well.
The WET150 is a soil sensor offering multi-parameter measurements of pore water electrical conductivity, moisture, and temperature.
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Lualtek, ECp and the WET150
Lualteks understands the importance of precisely measuring ECp.
Using the WET150
In agriculture and specifically soilless agriculture, systems monitoring and controlling salt concentrations in the nutrient solution are vital. Measuring the water and fertilizer levels at the start and then the fertilizer levels in the pot/growing bag at the end is critical.
The WET150 can estimate the electrical conductivity of liquids in the soil (pore water EC). This capability allows the detection of the absolute values of electrical conductivity in the substrate and compares it to the initial electrical conductivity values detected in the irrigation water.
This data provides better monitoring of the water status of the plants in the system and allows for routine cross-checks improving production and reducing water consumption.
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Lualtek chose the WET150 because it provides direct and precise ECp readings. Other sensors use TDR technology to measure Bulk EC (ECb). These measurements do not indicate the dissolved ions present in the soil water.
The WET150 Sensor is capable of calculating the pore water EC and the EC of the nutrient solution in the micropores of the substrate accessible by plant roots.
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What This Means for Growers
It is far more useful and important for the grower to reliably know the trend and variation of the electrical conductivity of the solution alone (ECp) inside the pot and not of the entire soil/water system, as the salt concentration of the solution directly affects the root system in the supply of nutrients, regulation osmosis etc.
The information obtained from the WET150 Sensor simplifies comparisons and interpretations of the data, including the EC values. The WET150 is a popular choice for commercial crop production and academic research. It is the perfect sensor to incorporate with precision crop management systems.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Delta-T Devices Ltd.
For more information on this source, please visit Delta-T Devices Ltd.