Abstract: An optical apparatus (10) is provided for non-destructive examination of characteristics of an object (102). The apparatus has a light source (28) for directing a beam of NIR Light towards the object (102), an aperture (24) for diverging the NIR beam through or reflected from the object, a collimating lens (30) for collimating the divergent beam, a diffraction device (32) for separating the collimated beam into wavelength components and focusing lens (36) for focusing the wavelength components onto a matrix of photodetectors (34) which in turn produce electrical output signals proportional to energy levels in the wavelength components. The apparatus (10) can be made compact so that it can be used to examine objects in fields. In one example the apparatus (10) has a pistol-shaped housing with a slot (12) in its turret (18) and a body (16) with a display monitor (14). The body (16) also has an opening through which a correlation device (26) in the form of a PCMCIA card can be connected to the apparatus (1).

Abstract: Improved crop yields are obtained by determining total dissolved solids (TDS) in a representative sample of transplants to determine strike rate as a logarithmic function of TDS before transplanting. Juvenile plants with high strike rate readings are transplanted. A refractometer having a logarithmic scale showing low medium and high strike rates as a direct readout from a juice sample is used. A bioregulator can be used to induce high TDS levels prior to transplanting. Particular application is to transplanting strawberry runners.

Abstract: Improved crop yields are obtained by determining total dissolved solids (TDS) in a representative sample of transplants to determine strike rate as a logarithmic function of TDS before transplanting. Juvenile plants with high strike rate readings are transplanted. A refractometer having a logarithmic scale showing low, medium, and high strike rates as a direct readout from a juice sample is used. A bioregulator can be used to induce high TDS levels prior to transplanting. Particular application is to transplanting strawberry runners.