English Product Name
| Origin | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | SKW500 |
| Price Range | USD 1,350 – 6,750 (FOB) |
Overview
The Palintest SKW500 Portable Soil Testing Laboratory Kit is a field-deployable, multi-parameter analytical system engineered for rapid, on-site quantification of essential macro- and micronutrients, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), salinity, and lime requirement in agricultural and environmental soil matrices. Unlike conventional wet-chemistry laboratory methods requiring sample transport, extended incubation, and benchtop instrumentation, the SKW500 integrates standardized colorimetric reagent chemistry with digital photometric measurement—based on ISO 10390 (soil pH), ISO 11260 (exchangeable cations), and ISO 11265 (soil EC)—to deliver reproducible, lab-comparable data within minutes under ambient field conditions. Its core architecture comprises pre-calibrated reagent tablets, a Bluetooth-enabled 10-channel photometer (wavelength range: 420–660 nm, optical resolution: ±2 nm), and integrated firmware compliant with GLP data integrity requirements—including timestamped measurement logs, user ID assignment, and audit-trail-enabled result export.
Key Features
- Pre-formulated, shelf-stable reagent tablets for 50 complete test cycles—covering pH (CaCl₂ and H₂O extraction), lime requirement (SMP buffer method), NPK (ammonium, nitrate, orthophosphate, potassium), Mg, Ca, Al, NH₃-N, Cl⁻, Cu, Fe, Mn, S, and SO₄²⁻.
- High-precision photometer with auto-zero calibration, temperature compensation (10–40 °C), and detection limits aligned with FAO/IAEA soil fertility guidelines (e.g., 0.5 mg/kg for Cu, 1.0 mg/kg for Zn, 0.2 mg/L for NO₃⁻).
- Wireless data synchronization via Bluetooth 5.0 to the Aqua Pal mobile application (iOS/Android), enabling real-time geotagging, batch reporting, and trend visualization across multiple sampling points.
- Cloud-based Palintest Portal integration supports secure, role-based access for agronomists, extension officers, and regulatory auditors—fully compatible with 21 CFR Part 11 electronic signature and audit trail requirements.
- Ruggedized IP67-rated housing, rechargeable Li-ion battery (≥12 hours continuous operation), and field-tested sample preparation protocol requiring only 2 g air-dried soil and 20 mL distilled water per analysis.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The SKW500 is validated for use with mineral soils (sand, loam, clay), organic-rich topsoils, and amended substrates (e.g., compost-amended fields, greenhouse media). It excludes highly saline (>15 dS/m), calcareous (>25% CaCO₃), or strongly reducing (Eh < −100 mV) matrices without prior dilution or pretreatment. All reagent formulations comply with REACH Annex XVII restrictions and carry CE marking under EU Directive 2014/30/EU (EMC) and 2014/53/EU (Radio Equipment). Test methodologies conform to ASTM D5265 (soil pH), ASTM D4972 (exchangeable acidity), and ISO 11261 (potassium by ammonium acetate extraction), supporting defensible data submission for ISO 17025-accredited laboratories and USDA NRCS soil health assessments.
Software & Data Management
The Aqua Pal app implements ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Clause 7.5.2 requirements for controlled software: version-controlled firmware (v3.2+), encrypted local storage, and CSV/PDF report generation with embedded metadata (operator ID, GPS coordinates, instrument serial number, calibration certificate expiry). Palintest Portal provides centralized data governance—enabling automated QC flagging (e.g., out-of-range absorbance, duplicate deviation >5%), customizable dashboard views for nutrient balance mapping, and API-driven integration with Farm Management Information Systems (FMIS) such as Climate FieldView™ and Granular™.
Applications
- Precision agriculture: Site-specific fertilizer prescription based on spatially resolved NPK and micronutrient status.
- Soil health monitoring: Longitudinal tracking of pH buffering capacity, base saturation, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) trends over cropping cycles.
- Environmental compliance: Pre- and post-remediation assessment of heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Mn) in brownfield sites per EPA Method 6010D.
- Research extension: Rapid screening for nutrient imbalances in smallholder farming systems where lab access is limited.
- Educational use: Undergraduate soil science curricula requiring hands-on exposure to standardized analytical protocols per US Department of Education STEM guidelines.
FAQ
Does the SKW500 require annual recalibration by an authorized service center?
No—photometer calibration is performed automatically at startup using internal reference filters; however, annual verification against NIST-traceable standards (e.g., Palintest Calibration Kit CK-200) is recommended for ISO 17025 compliance.
Can test results be exported directly into LIMS or ERP platforms?
Yes—via Palintest Portal’s RESTful API or scheduled SFTP export of ISO-compliant .csv files containing raw absorbance, calculated concentrations, uncertainty estimates, and measurement uncertainty budgets.
Is training required to interpret colorimetric results without the photometer?
The SKW500 is designed exclusively for photometric readout; visual interpretation using comparator blocks is not supported—unlike SK100–SK300 kits—to ensure metrological traceability and eliminate observer bias.
What is the shelf life of unopened reagent tablets?
24 months from manufacture date when stored at 15–25 °C and ≤60% relative humidity; desiccant integrity must be verified prior to first use.
Does the kit include extraction equipment for soil samples?
Yes—the standard configuration includes a calibrated 2-g scoop, 50 mL polypropylene extraction vials with screw caps, vortex mixer attachment, and filtration syringes (0.45 µm PVDF membrane) for turbid supernatants.
