COMECAUSE IN-HT300 Portable Soil Nutrient Analyzer
| Brand | COMECAUSE |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shandong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Model | IN-HT300 |
| Instrument Category | Portable |
| Detection Channels | 4 |
| Test Parameters | Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Organic Matter, pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Moisture Content, and Trace Elements (Ca, Mg, S, B, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, etc.) in Soil, Fertilizer, Plant Tissue, and Water Samples |
| Measurement Range | 0.001–9999 (unitless absorbance-based quantification scale) |
| Repeatability | ≤0.03% (as CV, measured with K₂Cr₂O₇ solution) |
Overview
The COMECAUSE IN-HT300 Portable Soil Nutrient Analyzer is an integrated field-deployable photometric instrument engineered for rapid, on-site quantification of macro- and micronutrients in soil, fertilizers, plant tissues, and aqueous agricultural samples. It operates on the principle of spectrophotometric colorimetry—where analyte-specific chemical reactions generate chromogenic complexes whose absorbance intensities are linearly correlated with concentration. Four fixed-wavelength LED light sources (680 ± 2 nm red, 420 ± 2 nm blue, 510 ± 2 nm green, 590 ± 4 nm orange) illuminate sample solutions within a sealed, light-tight cuvette chamber. A high-stability photodiode array captures transmittance data, which is processed in real time using pre-calibrated regression algorithms embedded in the Android 5.1 operating system. Unlike laboratory-grade ICP-OES or HPLC systems, the IN-HT300 does not perform elemental speciation or isotopic analysis; rather, it delivers field-validated, semi-quantitative to quantitative results aligned with standard agronomic interpretation thresholds (e.g., Olsen-P, Bray-1 P, ammonium acetate–extractable K). Its design prioritizes operational robustness under variable ambient conditions—including temperature fluctuations, dust exposure, and mechanical vibration—while maintaining traceability through onboard time-stamping, GPS georeferencing, and audit-ready data logging.
Key Features
- Four-channel fixed-pathlength photometric detection module with integrated solid-state cuvettes—no moving parts, zero mechanical alignment drift, and long-term optical consistency.
- IP65-rated ruggedized PVC housing with ergonomic hand-carried case, enabling reliable operation in humid, dusty, or rain-exposed field environments.
- 7.0-inch high-resolution TFT-LCD (1024 × 600) with dual-language UI (English/Chinese), daylight-readable backlight, and capacitive touchscreen interface.
- Dual-user authentication: password + fingerprint login supporting multi-user role-based access control for data integrity and accountability.
- Onboard thermal printer with QR code generation—outputs test ID, channel number, absorbance values, nutrient concentrations (mg/kg or ppm), operator ID, timestamp, GPS coordinates, and calibration status.
- Internal rechargeable 4800 mAh Li-ion battery providing ≥10 hours of continuous operation; auto-saves data during unexpected power loss.
- Real-time GPS geotagging and Wi-Fi-enabled cloud synchronization to secure COMECAUSE AgriCloud™ platform, supporting ISO/IEC 27001-aligned data encryption and 21 CFR Part 11–compliant audit trails.
- Built-in step-by-step guided workflows—including video tutorials, reagent preparation prompts, and automated internal calibration—minimizing operator dependency and reducing procedural error.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The IN-HT300 supports standardized extraction protocols for over 60 analytes across four matrix types: soil (air-dried, sieved <2 mm), solid/liquid fertilizers, fresh or dried plant tissue, and irrigation water. It accommodates common agronomic methods including ammonium acetate (for exchangeable K), Olsen (for available P), Kjeldahl digestion (for total N), Walkley-Black and modified Tyurin (for organic matter), and direct potentiometric measurement for pH (±0.1 accuracy) and EC (±2% full-scale error). All reported values conform to national and regional reference frameworks used in China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) soil testing guidelines, and align with FAO-recommended critical nutrient thresholds for major cereal, horticultural, and cash crops. While not certified to ISO 17025 as a standalone testing laboratory, the instrument meets functional equivalency requirements for field screening per ISO 11265 (soil quality — guidance on the determination of nutrients) and ASTM D512 (chloride in water), with documented repeatability (≤0.03% CV) and linearity (≤0.1% error vs. CuSO₄ standard).
Software & Data Management
Running on a quad-core ARM processor (≥1.8 GHz) with 16 GB internal storage, the IN-HT300 executes proprietary firmware validated under GLP-aligned development practices. The embedded software includes: (1) a configurable database for historical test records (searchable by date, location, crop type, or operator); (2) cloud-synced AgriCloud™ portal with role-based dashboards, temporal trend visualization, and exportable CSV/XLSX reports; (3) integrated Soil Testing & Fertilizer Recommendation System (STFRS) containing >120 crop-specific nutrient sufficiency ranges, yield-targeted fertilizer rate calculators, and correction factor tables for organic amendments; (4) mobile-accessible WeChat Mini Program for remote record review and offline report sharing; and (5) built-in diagnostic symptom atlas—illustrated deficiency/toxicity charts for nine essential elements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn) with side-by-side leaf morphology comparisons. All data exports retain metadata headers required for regulatory reporting, including instrument ID, firmware version, calibration certificate ID, and user authentication logs.
Applications
The IN-HT300 serves as a frontline tool in precision agriculture extension services, cooperative farm management, agro-input quality assurance, and academic field research. Typical use cases include: rapid pre-planting soil fertility assessment for variable-rate fertilizer prescription mapping; in-season monitoring of nutrient depletion in high-value horticulture (e.g., strawberries, greenhouse tomatoes); verification of fertilizer product labeling claims (e.g., NPK content in compound granules or liquid concentrates); validation of compost maturity via C:N ratio estimation; irrigation water quality screening for salinity (EC) and macronutrient carryover; and participatory diagnostics with smallholder farmers using visual deficiency guides. Its portability and minimal sample prep enable same-day decision support—reducing reliance on centralized labs and accelerating feedback loops between soil testing and agronomic intervention.
FAQ
Does the IN-HT300 require daily recalibration?
No. The instrument performs automatic self-checks at startup and embeds factory-calibrated optical and electronic baselines. Manual recalibration is only recommended after extended storage (>6 months) or physical impact.
Can it measure heavy metals such as Cd or Pb?
It provides semi-quantitative screening for selected heavy metals (Cd, Pb, As, Cr, Hg) using validated colorimetric kits compliant with GB/T 22105.3–2008; however, confirmatory analysis requires ICP-MS or AAS in accredited laboratories.
Is the cloud platform compatible with third-party farm management software?
Yes—AgriCloud™ supports RESTful API integration and scheduled CSV exports, enabling interoperability with platforms like FarmLogs, Granular, or locally deployed ERP systems.
What is the warranty and technical support coverage?
Three-year comprehensive hardware warranty; lifetime firmware updates and agronomic advisory support via COMECAUSE’s certified agronomist network; no charge for remote diagnostics or cloud account maintenance.
How is measurement uncertainty addressed in field reports?
Each printed or exported report includes documented method-specific uncertainty bands derived from inter-laboratory validation studies (e.g., ±1% for NPK in soil, ±2% for organic matter, ±5% for trace elements), consistent with ISO/IEC Guide 98-3 (GUM).
