Konica SPAD-502 PLUS User Manual

CHLOROPHYLL METER

SPAD-502Plus

A lightweight handheld meter for

measuring the chlorophyll content of

leaves without causing damage to plants.

NEW

Theory

400 500

Ultra­violet

Wavelength Infrared

600 700(nm)

Absorbance

A

B

3.5

3.3

3.1

2.9

2.7

2.5

2.3

2.1

1.9

1.7

24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42

Leaf-blade nitrogen concentration

y =0.079 x - 0.154
r =0.908

***

n =68

Measured SPAD value

1984
1985

The SPAD-502Plus is
a compact meter

designed to help users improve crop quality and increase crop
yield by providing an indication of the amount of chlorophyll
present in plant leaves. The chlorophyll content of plant leaves
is related to the condition of the plant, and thus can be used to
determine when additional fertilizer is necessary. By optimizing
nutrient conditions, healthier plants can be grown, resulting in a
larger crop yield of higher quality.

The SPAD-502Plus determines the relative amount of chloro­phyll present by measuring the absorbance of the leaf in two
wavelength regions.

The graph below shows the spectral absorbance of chlorophyll
extracted from two leaf samples using 80% acetone.

From the diagram, it can be seen that chlorophyll has absorbance peaks
in the blue (400-500 nm) and red (600-700 nm) regions, with no
absorbance in the near-infrared region.

To take advantage of this characteristic of chlorophyll, the SPAD­502Plus measures the absorbances of the leaf in the red and
near-infrared regions. Using these two absorbances, the meter
calculates a numerical SPAD value which is proportional to the
amount of chlorophyll present in the leaf.

Checking the nutritional condition of plants

The chlorophyll present in the plant leaves is closely related
to the nutritional condition of the plant. As can be seen from
the graph below, the chlorophyll content (represented by the
measured SPAD value) will increase in proportion to the amount
of nitrogen (an important plant nutrient) present in the leaf.
For a particular plant species, a higher SPAD value indicates a
healthier plant.

Wheat, Rice, Corn, Cotton and beyond

The SPAD-502Plus serves in a wide variety of plant applications. Through its history, the SPAD series has established itself as a leading
brand in chlorophyll measurement across the world. It has been serving researchers and growers, enabling them to perform eld tests
quickly and easily. The SPAD series has been used for various kinds of plants and its applications are still growing.

WheatCorn