The MC-100 Chlorophyll Concentration Meter directly measures and displays chlorophyll concentration from intact leaf samples without damaging the plant material. This data can be used to monitor environmental stress, evaluate the demand and efficacy of fertilizer treatments and optimize harvest schedules throughout the growing season.
The Apogee chlorophyll concentration meter is calibrated to measure chlorophyll concentration in leaves with units of µmol of chlorophyll per m2. This eliminates problems with relative indexes of chlorophyll concentration. For reference and comparison purposes, the Apogee meter also outputs relative units [CCI or SPAD] if desired. For details see: Parry, C., Blonquist Jr., J.M., & Bugbee, B. 2014. In situ measurement of leaf chlorophyll concentration: analysis of the optical/absolute relationship. Plant, Cell and Environment 37:2508-2520.
Applications include chlorophyll concentration determination in plant leaves for assessment of nutrient status, fertilizer requirements, evaluation of stress, and optimization of harvest.
The meter measures the ratio of radiation transmittance from two wavelengths (red, strongly absorbed by chlorophyll, and near infrared, not absorbed by chlorophyll), making measurements non-destructive and nearly instantaneous (measurement time is less than 3 seconds). This facilitates rapid measurement of multiple leaves and monitoring of the same leaves over time.
Storage Capacity and Geo-referencing
Memory allocated to data storage allows for 160,000 logged measurements. A mini USB port allows for direct connection to a computer to download data. Chlorophyll meter comes with a standard mini USB to USB cable for data download. An RS-232 port is available for external GPS connection, allowing field data to be geo-referenced. Storage capacity of geo-referenced data is 94,000 measurements.
Specific crop species settings in the meter include rice, wheat, soybean, barley, pepper, tomato, pea, kahlrabi, Walderman's Green lettuce, Buttercrunch lettuce, corn, sorghum, Quaking Aspen, European Birch, Paper Birch, Crimson King Maple, Norway Maple, Japanese Maple, Boxelder, Crab Apple, Purple Leaf Sand Cherry, lilac, Forsythia, grapevine, cannabis, coffee, spinach, strawberry, and a general setting used for all other species.
Variable Sampling Area
The meter measures the relative chlorophyll concentration over an area of approximately 64 mm2 (circle with 9 mm diameter). A field of view reducer is included to reduce the sampling area of approximately 20 mm2 (circle with 5 mm diameter) for leaves narrower than 9 mm.
Warranty and Support
The MC-100 is backed by a 1 year warranty and outstanding customer support.
Default Display Unit: µmol of chlorophyll per m2 of leaf surface
Optional Display Units: CCI, SPAD
Measurement Area: 63.9 mm2 (9 mm standard diameter), 19.6 mm2 (5 mm diameter with reducer)
Resolution: ± 10 µmol m-2 chlorophyll concentration using generic equation
Linearity: ± 1 %
Repeatability: ± 1 %
Sample Acquisition Time: Less than 3 s
Storage Capacity: 8 MB for up to 160,000 data measurements; 94,000 data measurements with GPS data entries
User Interface: 50 mm by 15 mm graphic display screen, 8 push buttons for control and data manipulation
Data Output: Mini-B USB port provided for main data transfer
Measured Variables: Ratio of optical transmission at 931 nm to optical transmission of 653 nm
External GPS Option: RS-232 port (GPS location data is saved with each measurement)
Operating Temperature: 0 to 50 C
Temperature Drift: Temperature compensated source and detector circuitry over full range
Power Requirement: Standard 9 V DC alkaline battery
Dimensions: 152 mm length, 82 mm width, 25 mm height