When it comes to farming, placing the seed in the ground is only one small piece of what it takes to grow a healthy, high-yielding crop. The true foundation of success lies in the soil. Without the right balance of nutrients, structure, and microbial activity, even the best seed will underperform.

That’s why understanding what’s happening beneath the surface is critical. And while farmers don’t have X-ray vision, Harvest Agri provides the next best thing: a full range of advanced soil and plant testing equipment designed to give you the answers you need — right in the field.

Digging deeper: Soil compaction and conductivity

Soil Compaction Tester
Roots can only thrive if they can penetrate the soil freely. Harvest Agri’s soil compaction tester lets you feel what your roots feel, measuring resistance layer by layer.

  • 750 mm probe with clear 75 mm intervals.
  • Identifies compacted zones where root growth is restricted.
  • Alerts you when compaction exceeds 250 PSI (≈1800 kPa), a critical threshold that limits root development and nutrient uptake.

The Soil Compaction Meter reads as follows:

  • Green (0 – 200 PSI) – Good growing conditions
  • Yellow (200 – 300 PSI) – Fair growing conditions
  • Red (300 PSI and above) – Poor growing conditions

With this information, you can fine-tune irrigation and nutrient programs, ensuring every input delivers maximum return.

Soil EC (Electrical Conductivity) Meter
Nutrient management starts with knowing your soil’s EC. Harvest Agri’s soil EC meter provides real-time readings to:

  • Track nutrient availability.
  • Detect salinity issues before they damage crops.
  • Optimise irrigation practices to reduce leaching and waste.

The result? Precision fertiliser management, healthier soils, and higher yields.

Microbial insight in minutes

Traditional lab soil tests take days and risk losing microbial accuracy. With Harvest Agri’s MicroBIOMETER® Starter Kit, you can measure microbial biomass and fungal-to-bacterial ratios in just 10 minutes — directly in the field.

  • Simple process: mix, settle, drop onto card, scan with the MicroBIOMETER® app.
  • Accurate readings of microbial carbon and ratios (F:B, F%, B%).
  • Supports decisions on organic matter inputs, crop rotations, and soil health programs.

It’s lab-quality precision, made portable.

Smart sampling solutions

Accurate results begin with proper sampling, and Harvest Agri offers durable tools for every soil type:

  • T-Soil Sampler (300 mm or 600 mm, tungsten carbide tip) – for tough soils and irrigation monitoring.
  • Soil Auger (for sandy and clay soils) – ensures consistent, representative samples for dependable analysis.

These tools streamline the sampling process so you can collect reliable data every time.

Precision plant measurement: The Laquatwin Range

Soil is only part of the story — plant health tells you the rest. Harvest Agri proudly supplies the Horiba Laquatwin handheld meters, trusted worldwide for in-field sap and solution analysis.

With just a single drop of sap or nutrient solution, you can instantly measure:

  • pH – monitor root zone acidity for optimal nutrient uptake.
  • EC – track salt and nutrient levels in sap or fertigation water.
  • Calcium (Ca²⁺) – crucial for strong cell walls, fruit quality, and shelf life.
  • Potassium (K⁺) – essential for sugar transport and stress tolerance.
  • Nitrate (NO₃⁻) – manage nitrogen nutrition accurately.
  • Sodium (Na⁺) – monitor salinity stress in sensitive crops.

By combining soil testing tools with Laquatwin plant sap analysis, you gain a complete picture of what’s happening below and above ground — empowering you to take precise action, reduce input costs, and boost yields.

Be at the top of the soil & plant game

Successful farming is about more than guesswork — it’s about data-driven decisions. With Harvest Agri’s advanced soil and plant testing products, you’ll know exactly what’s happening in your fields and how to respond.

Visit www.harvestagri.co.za today to explore our full product range and start farming smarter.