N-Pen is a light-weight, battery-powered instrument that can be favorably used for effective nitrogen management in plants throughout their growing season.
Essentially, the N-Pen characterizes nitrogen amount by means of reflectance and by the concept of a close link between chlorophyll content and nitrogen content in plants.
Rugged and compact N-Pen can be favorably used in the field, in the plant biology lab or for education. The use of the N-Pen is non-destructive and permits quick, repeated measurements throughout the growing season. It takes four AAA alkaline batteries and is supplied in a robust case.
Offered are also N-Pen versions with a communication module (Bluetooth, USB, or serial) and the possibility of data transfer to a PC.
Currently Available Calibrations:
- Maize
- Wheat
- Barley
- Lightweight, hand-held design
- Non-invasive measurement method
- Easy two-button operation
- Quick and easily repeatable measurements
- Battery-operated
- Significant yield increase
- Quick tuning of nitrogen management in crops
- Increasing nitrogen use efficiency
- Reducing the risk of yield-limiting N deficiencies
- Saving labor and/or application costs
- Reducing the risk of excessive fertilizer applications and subsequent contamination of the environment
- Agronomy research
- Displayed is the actual nitrogen reading
- Nitrogen reading is calibrated for particular plant (here wheat and barley)
- Calibrations for other plants may be provided
- Variety or hybrid differences can greatly affect N-Pen readings
- Plant diseases, nutrient deficiencies and other kinds of plant stress can also affect N-Pen readings

- Simply insert the leaf between the leaf clip and the optical tip
- N-Pen collects and stores individual readings and calculates the average automatically
- Readings should be taken on different plants of the same species
- Readings should be taken on the 2nd (maximum 3rd) youngest leaf on each plant
- Readings should be taken on about the same location on each leaf (close to the mid part)
- FluorPen 1.0 software for data loading, processing, and visualization in a PC (optional)
- Bluetooth, USB or serial communication module (optional)
- GPS mapping plug-in
- Measured Parameters:
Nitrogen content calibrated for particular plant - Measuring Light:
Dual wavelength light source - 565 nm, 760 nm - Detector Wavelength Range:
500 to 800 nm bandpass filters - Memory Capacity:
Up to 4 Mb - Internal Data Logging:
Up to 100,000 data points - Display:
2 x 8 characters LC display - Keypad:
Sealed, 2-key tactile response - Keypad Escape Time:
Turns off after 3 minutes of no use - Power Supply:
4 AAA alkaline or rechargeable batteries - Battery Life:
48 hours typical with full operation - Low Battery Detection:
Low battery indication displayed - Size:
170 x 57 x 30 mm; 6.7" x 2.2" x 1.2" - Weight:
180 g, 6.5 oz - Operating Conditions:
Temperature: 0 to 55 ºC; 32 to 130 ºF. Relative humidity: 0 to 95 % (non-condensing) - Storage Conditions:
Temperature: -10 to +60 ºC; 14 to +140 ºF. Relative humidity: 0 to 95 % (non-condensing) - Warranty:
1 year parts and labor
- Klem K. (2008): Precision Agriculture, ICPA 2008.
Pricing
- Orders and Payments
- N-Pen N 100 699,- €
- N-Pen N 100-U 1.199,- €
- GPS Module * 249,- €
- Battery Charger * 49,- €
- Transport Case * 79,- €
Other N-Pen Versions
N-Pen N 100
Standard N-Pen version with no PC communication module. Data are saved in the device internal memory only.
N-Pen N 100-B
Standard N-Pen version supplemented the with Bluetooth communication module and FluorPen 1.0 software for data transfer to a PC.
N-Pen FP 100-U
Standard N-Pen version supplemented with the USB communication module and FluorPen 1.0 software for data transfer to a PC.
N-Pen FP 100-S
Standard N-Pen version supplemented with the serial communication module and FluorPen 1.0 software for data transfer to a PC.
Optional Features and Accessories
GPS Module
To record the exact location of the measurements performed by the pen-category instruments.
Battery Charger
To recharge batteries used in the pen-category instruments. Includes a battery charger and 4 AAA batteries. EU norm only.
Transport Case
Padded case to shelter all necessary accessories. Size: 25 x 22 x 5 cm.
Download
FluorPen 1.0
OS: Win2000/XP
Language: English
Size: 2.2MB
Documents
FluorPen Series Manual
Type: PDF
Language: English
Size: 1.2MB
FluorPen Quick Guide
Type: PDF
Language: English
Size: 82kB
FluorPen Explain
Type: PDF
Language: English
Size: 2.9MB
SpectraPen Manual
Type: PDF
Language: English
Size: 247kB
AquaPen Manual
Type: PDF
Language: English
Size: 1.3MB
AquaPen Quick Guide
Type: PDF
Language: English
Size: 85kB
N-Pen Brief Guide
Type: PDF
Language: English
Size: 106kB
GFP-Pen Manual
Type: PDF
Language: English
Size: 812kB
PlantPen NDVI Manual
Type: PDF
Language: English
Size: 363kB
PlantPen PRI Manual
Type: PDF
Language: English
Size: 390kB
PlantPen NDVI, PRI Quick Guide
Type: PDF
Language: English
Size: 73,7kB
Other Pocket-Sized-Instruments
FluorPen is a hand-held fluorometer that measures chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in a fully automated and rapid manner.
Applications:
- Photosynthesis Research & Education
- Large plant screening programs
- Agriculture & Forestry
- Biotechnology
PAR-FluorPen FP 100-MAX-LM
PAR-FluorPen is used to measure fluorescence and Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD) of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR).
Applications:
- Photosynthesis Research & Education
- Plant & Molecular Biology
- Agriculture & Forestry
- Biotechnology
AquaPen-C AP-C 100
AquaPen-C is a new cuvette version of the popular FluorPen fluorometer. It is optimized for measuring chlorophyll fluorescence in green algae and cyanobacteria. AquaPen sensitivity 500 ng Chl/l enables measuring in natural water.
Applications:
- Photosynthesis Research & Education
- Biotechnology
- Limnology & Oceanography
AquaPen-P AP-P 100
AquaPen-P is equipped with a submersible optical probe. It suits investigations in algal suspensions and natural waters. AquaPen sensitivity: 500 ng Chl/l.
Applications:
- Photosynthesis Research & Education
- Phycology
- Limnology & Oceanography
- Biotechnology
SpectraPen SP 100
SpectraPen is a handheld, programmable spectrophotometer that provides instant readings and spectral lines on interactive touch screen.
Applications:
- Visible light source testing
- Color measurement
- Chemical measurement
Poly-PlantPen RP 400
Poly-PlantPen RP 400 is a complete system for measurement of spectral reflectance on flat leaves. It runs on Li-Ion rechargeable battery and does not require any external PC. Integrated software is capable of automatic calculation of all common vegetation indices.
PlantPen PRI 200 & NDVI 300
PlantPen is a low-cost, handheld device that characterizes plants by means of reflectance. The two standard versions measure PRI and NDVI.
Applications:
- Photosynthesis Research & Education
- Vegetation Productivity
- Vegetation Stress Studies
- Agriculture
N-Pen N 100
N-Pen is a light-weight, battery-powered instrument that provides quick measurement of actual nitrogen content in plants throughout their growing season.
Applications:
- Significant Yield Increase
- Quick Tuning of Nitrogen Management in Crops
- Saving Nitrogen Application Costs
GFP-Pen GFP 100
GFP-Pen is a handheld fluorometer that serves rapid measurements of the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP).
Applications:
- GFP measurement in intact leaf samples
- Distinguish between GMO and non-GMO
- Gene expression studies
- Transgenic crop research