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ECOLOGY CENTRE


The PRS™ is being used around the world. Find out where.



Learn how the PRS™ technology can be applied in ecological research.



Try our PRS™ LAB-IN-A-BOX: a complete lab module.


What makes the PRS™ technology a desirable tool in understanding soil nutrient dynamics, as well as integrated ecosystem processes?

   

1. PRS™-probes measure soil nutrient supply with minimal disturbance.

  • PRS™-probes can be used in situ to collect data on the rate of plant nutrient supply from the soil.
  • PRS™-probes help to explain ecosystem processes and monitor the effects of climate change and plant community shifts on the soil nutrient dynamics.
  • PRS™-probes can quantify the effects of changing soil physical properties, due to disturbances on nutrient supply that often is difficult using traditional chemical extractions.
  • PRS™-probes are easy to insert in the soil and remove. In addition, they are mechanistically similar to a plant root in its natural environment.
  • PRS™-probes improve the accuracy of monitoring soil nutrient supply, given that they account for temporal variability in nutrient availability when placed in situ.

2. Across all soil types, PRS™ data is easy to compare and synthesize.

  • Conventional soil tests do not work as effectively on all soil types. Depending on the soil's chemical and physical properties, making true comparisons among sites within long-term ecological research (LTER) and long term soil productivity research (LTSP) networks is difficult.
  • The PRS™-probes are a sensitive tool for measuring the effects of imposed treatments regardless of soil type. As such, PRS™ is a great tool for use in LTSP and LTER research sites spread across vast geographical areas.
  • Due to soil nutrient flux data that can be extrapolated across sites, regions, countries and essentially worldwide, appropriate inferences can be made regarding the effects of current management practices and/or other anthropogenic impacts on the environment.

3. Ecosystem management and soil conservation strategies are more effective when working with measured plant nutrient fluxes in the soil.

  • Where loss of nutrients is a concern, we can take steps to conserve the health of our soils.
  • Ideally, with proper monitoring of the soil, we can take preventative and reactive action to maintain a balanced and sustained nutrient availability in the soil.

4. Western Ag Innovations' is actively involved in soil science related research.

  • The Western Ag Innovations team of R&D co-ordinators each have a Master's degree in soil science and have researched soil processes in both the field and laboratory setting.
  • Our skilled team will guide you through the research process by offering technical support, analytical capabilities and assistance in the interpretation of results (if required).
  • PRS™-probes are easy to use, easy to clean and are reusable!
  • Each PRS™-probe simultaneously measures a variety of biologically meaningful nutrients in the soil. This increases the efficiency of measuring soil nutrient supply and allows various cost savings: labour and time savings, etc.
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