New technology senses nitrate levels in plants and water

A newly-developed technology will allow farmers to test exactly how much nitrate is in a plant. 

EnGeniousAg is a new company started by Iowa State Agronomist Michael Castellano and University of Nebraska agronomist James Schnable.  They’ve created a sensor that quickly measures nitrate levels in plants or in water.

Schnable says when farmers need to make a decision on adding nitrogen now, it’s a slow and tedious process that involves sending soil samples to a lab and waiting for results. 

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