Ecology Center

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.