Analytik reports on how Rothamsted Research use ASD Inc.’s AgriSpec portable NIR instrument to measure the nitrogen content in grain
Analytik reports on how Rothamsted Research use ASD Inc.’s AgriSpec portable NIR instrument to measure the nitrogen content in grain
Cambridge, UK, 12th March 2013: Analytik, leading suppliers of innovative analytical solutions to the UK and Ireland, is pleased to report on the use of AgriSpec portable near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer from ASD Inc. at Rothamsted Research Ltd, the longest running agricultural research station in the world. The spectrometer is used for nitrogen measurements in grain.
The AgriSpec line of NIR instruments is portable and precise. They use an improved optical design providing a faster speed of analysis while yielding the best possible analytical results on a wide range of materials, including solids, powders and liquids. Improvements to the AgriSpec line provide the user with higher quality measurements that identify and quantify materials in real time with minimal sample preparation. These non-destructive measurements result in minimal or zero sample waste. Users enjoy the ability to measure multiple properties simultaneously.
Rothamsted Research is the longest running agricultural research station in the world, providing cutting-edge science and innovation for nearly 170 years. Their mission is to deliver the knowledge and new practices to increase crop productivity and quality and to develop environmentally sustainable solutions for food and energy production. Andrew Riche has worked at Rothamsted since 1994 on the agronomy and physiology of arable crops. His current work is focused on wheat pre-breeding research, studying a diverse range of germplasm looking particularly at improving nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiency.
One of his routine tasks is to measure the amount of nitrogen in grain. Routine measurement was performed with a combustion analyser but with increasing workloads and extended time for sample preparation being required, a new solution was required. This is driven by the changing research goals. Andrew explained: “Our research is into wheat nutrition, particularly nitrogen use efficiency. We have recently expanded the field trials work to around 7,000 plots/year generating around 14,000 plant samples (grain + straw) which require nitrogen analysis. With so many samples, we were looking for a cheaper and quicker method of analysis.”
“We chose the AgriSpec for a number of reasons. I like its robustness – much of our work is done in a lab. It is not a typical lab. We have thousands of relatively large samples, with associated dust and other contaminants. The range of attachments for the AgriSpec is good. By using the sample turntable, we can easily and rapidly estimate grain nitrogen content without having to mill the samples saving a lot of time.”
For more information about ASD’s instruments, visit: http://www.asdi.com/products-and-services/labspec.
Cambridge-based Analytik are the exclusive UK and Ireland distributors of ASD’s family of spectroscopy products. To learn more about the full range and their applications, visit Analytik’s portable spectroscopy page.
About…ASD Inc. was established in 1990 in Boulder, Colorado, United States, and has become the global leader in high-performance analytical instrumentation solutions, solving some of the most challenging real-world materials measurement problems. ASD spectrometers – unparalleled in providing laboratory-grade results in the field or on-site – are the instruments of choice for remote sensing, environmental sciences, agricultural, mining, pharmaceutical and pulp and paper industry applications, where results drive paradigm-changing insights, efficiency and profit. ASD’s collaborative culture and world-class customer service put the best, fastest and most accurate spectroscopic instruments to work for industry and science in more than 70 countries around the world. For more information, please visit www.asdi.com.
