Refractometer

What Does Refractometer Mean?

A refractometer is commonly used to test the brix level (sugar content) in ripening vegetables and fruits, or to indicate whether some elements or nutrients are missing from the plants. Most plants with a low brix reading indicate that not enough nutrients are being absorbed by the roots. On the other hand, an excessively high reading can also indicate that the plant has excessive levels of ions such as nitrate (NO₃).

Maximum Yield Explains Refractometer

The index of a plant’s refraction is normally calculated using Snell’s law.

There are several types of refractometers, including but not limited to, inline process, Abbe, laboratory, digital handheld, or traditional handheld refractometers. Some models, such as the Rayleigh refractometer, can be used to measure gas indices. In some cases, such as veterinary medicine, refractometers are used to calculate the quantity of plasma in blood.

This particular tool is also used in beekeeping to determine the presence and quantity of water in batches of honey. To assess plant sap, horticulturalists normally employ handheld meters. These apparatuses can determine the plant’s level of potassium, calcium, nitrate, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC).