Horiba LAQUAtwin Nitrate Meter
The salt of nitric acid is called nitrate. It is a water-soluble compound of nitrogen and oxygen. Nitrate as an inorganic nitrogen compound occurs naturally in soil, but also in the form of potassium nitrate as a fertilizer ingredient applied to agricultural land. In addition to agriculture, nitrates are also frequently used in the chemical industry as oxidizing agents.
The EU Drinking Water Directive stipulates the parameter 50mg/liter for adults as a quality standard. This value has been adopted by the German Drinking Water Ordinance as the limit value in the list of chemical parameters. For infants and young children, on the other hand, a strict value of 20mg/liter must not be exceeded, as too high a nitrate content in drinking water can lead to serious damage to health in the long term.
In addition to drinking water, nitrate is also ingested through the consumption of fresh vegetables, cereals and fruit. Here too - depending on the product - guidelines regarding maximum levels must be observed.
With pocket meters from Horiba, you can obtain the analysis results for nitrate measurement directly on site.
Application examples:
Nitrate as a quality parameter for water
The monitoring of the quality parameter nitrate plays an important role in water analysis in the areas of drinking water, wastewater and process water.
In all areas, high demands are placed on water quality, because water has certain constituents that could have harmful effects on consumers, production and industrial plants if certain limit values are exceeded. For example, excessive nitrate concentrations must be avoided.
A continuous analysis of the relevant parameters is therefore recommended and possible in a very short time due to the simple application by the LAQUAtwin nitrate measuring device.
Our measuring instruments are not only used in agriculture, drinking water treatment or food production, but are also recommended for private use.
A quick test of the domestic tap water can be carried out in a few steps and provides accurate results. Experts recommend testing one's own tap water for its nitrate content, especially if children live in the household.
Soil Analysis
Soil testing has been used effectively over the years to determine the availability of nutrients to plants.
Nitrogen is one of the essential nutrients taken up by plants in the form of ammonium and nitrate ions for their green leaf growth. Application of ammonium fertilizer to plants results in conversion to nitrate. In addition, organic material that is decomposed in the soil is also converted first to ammonium and then to nitrate. These circumstances lead to increased nitrate levels in the soil.
Plant tissues, especially from the leaf and stem, contain relatively high levels of nitrate, which has been shown to be a good indicator of the nitrogen content of the plant. Laboratory analysis of nitrogen content in dry plant tissue usually takes a long time. Thanks to the modern technology of the compact nitrate meter, chemical analyses succeed in a very short time and can be carried out independently.
Fertilization of onions with nitrogen from nitrate.
For optimal plant growth, plants need the nitrogen of nitrate to build protein. The nitrate is absorbed by the roots of the plant with the water, distributed in the plant, transformed and partially stored.
This is important for the cultivation of onions, among other things. Nitrogen promotes the number of bulb scales and thus bulb size. Excess, on the other hand, can lead to delayed ripening, reduced skin firmness, and poor storability.
In this case, regular monitoring of the nitrate content by means of Horiba's hand testers can positively contribute to maximizing yields and improving the quality of the product.
Application information
- Minimum sample volume: 0.3 ml (0.05 ml with sampling sheet B)
- Up to 2 calibration points
- Automatic standard detection
- Changeable high and low calibration values
- Multiplication compensation: 0.01 to 9.90
- Temperature and mV display
- Temperature calibration: 5 to 40.0 ºC
- Auto-hold/auto-stable measurement
- Auto power off: 30 minutes.
- Low battery indicator
- IP67 rating dust and waterproof
- Replaceable sensor
- 400 hours battery life: continuous operation without backlighting
- Material: ABS epoxy resin
- Display: custom (monochrome) digital LCD with backlight
- Operating conditions: 5 to 40 ºC, 85% or less relative humidity
- Warranty: 2 years - meter, 6 months - sensor
- Packed in convenient carrying case
- Supplied with accessories (see specifications for more details)
Horiba LAQUAtwin Nitrate Ion Tester NO3-11 for Precise On-Site Measurements Handheld tester with 2-point calibration, ideal for water and environmental measurements The Horiba LAQUAtwin Nitrate Ion Tester (NO3-11) is a portable device for direct determination of nitrate ions (NO3) and temperature in liquids and samples. Thanks to the ion-selective electrode and compact design, the tester delivers fast and reliable results. The integrated temperature unit enables temperature-compensated analysis and clearly displays both nitrate and temperature values on the digital LCD display. Mobile Nitrate Ion Tester for Precise On-Site Analyses The integrated temperature measurement enables temperature-compensated analysis and shows both nitrate and temperature values. Only very small sample volumes are required, minimizing sample consumption and increasing efficiency in daily use. The tester can be set up with up to two calibration points, with features such as automatic standard recognition, adjustable calibration values, and multiplication compensation for flexibility. Only minimal sample volumes are needed for each analysis, reducing sample usage and improving efficiency. Why Nitrate Measurement Is Crucial – and a Pocket Tester from Horiba Is Ideal Nitrate measurement plays a central role in agriculture, water management, and environmental monitoring. Elevated nitrate concentrations can affect drinking water quality, stress ecosystems, and contribute to over-fertilization. At the same time, nitrate is an essential nutrient for plants, and targeted control is vital for sustainable agriculture. A mobile nitrate pocket tester enables rapid on-site analysis without time-consuming laboratory tests. This allows early detection of contamination, immediate action, and reliable monitoring of legal limits. The Horiba LAQUAtwin NO3-11 combines this flexibility with high measurement accuracy and easy operation – ideal for routine checks and scientific applications. The tester can be configured with up to two calibration points. Features like automatic standard recognition, adjustable calibration values, and multiplication compensation provide high adaptability to different sample types and measurement conditions. Typical Applications of the Horiba LAQUAtwin Nitrate Ion Tester (NO3-11) Agriculture: To optimize fertilizer use, promote plant growth, and minimize environmental impact, farmers and agronomists use the tester to monitor nitrate levels in soils and irrigation water. Water Quality Management: To maintain nitrate concentrations within safe limits, the NO3-11 is used in water management to check drinking and wastewater quality. Environmental Monitoring: The NO3-11 allows environmental technicians and scientists to quickly analyze nitrate contamination in rivers, lakes, and groundwater, ensuring compliance with environmental standards and identifying pollution sources. Research and Development: The tester is used by scientists in environmental science, hydrology, and soil science to conduct detailed studies of the nitrogen cycle and the effects of nitrates on ecosystems. Frequently asked questions How long is the warranty period for HORIBA pocket testers? The warranty period is two years from delivery for commercial customers. How many measurements can be taken before the sensor needs to be replaced? This varies depending on the application, use and storage of the Horiba tester. As a rule, the sensor should be replaced after one year. How long is the warranty period for replacement sensors for pocket testers? The warranty period is 12 months after delivery for commercial customers. How do you clean the pocket tester? The pocket tester can be rinsed under water. We recommend cleaning with DI water (deionised). Tissue paper is recommended for drying after cleaning. How can the pocket tester be reset to factory settings? (e.g. in the event of an incorrect measurement result) This information can be found in the operating instructions. These can be found in the download area of the shop and on the product. Is calibration necessary before each measurement? Basically, yes. Further information can be found in the operating instructions.
Suitable HORIBA measuring instruments
Manufacturer Part No. 3999960128 LAQUAtwin SALT-11 : The world's first pocket-sized salinity analyser. Your mobile laboratory - for use on site: Ideal for water quality testing in aquariums, food and many other applications. HORIBA's unique compact meter integrates electrode, display and sample container to enable simple, effective on-site testing by direct measurement with a single drop. Minimum sample volume: 0.12 ml Displays salinity and temperature Up to 2 calibration points Automatic calibration Automatic standard detection: 0.50 & 5.00 % NaCl Automatic temperature compensation: 2%/ºC fixed Temperature calibration: 5 to 40.0 ºC 2 salinity curves: NaCl & seawater Automatically stable / automatically maintained measurement Automatic switch-off: 30 min. Low battery indicator IP67 rating dust and waterproof Replaceable sensor 400 hours battery life: continuous operation without backlight Material: ABS epoxy housing and titanium coating with platinum black sensor Display: customised (monochrome) digital LCD with backlight Operating conditions: 5 to 40°C, 85% or less relative humidity Warranty: 2 years - meter, 6 months - sensor Packed in a practical carrying case Supplied with 0.5 % and 5.0 % NaCl standards (14 ml each), conditioning solution (4 ml), 2 x CR2032 batteries, pipette, instructions and short manual