Robots and Drones Revolutionize Soil Health Monitoring

Summary:
A recent article discusses the innovative technologies being utilized to help farmers monitor and improve soil health, addressing the global issue of soil degradation. Annually, twelve million hectares of agricultural soils are lost to degradation worldwide. In England and Wales alone, 17% of soils show signs of erosion, and millions of hectares are at risk due to compaction and contamination. Traditional soil health assessments often miss the biological aspects and variances in soil conditions.
New technologies, such as satellite sensors, soil sensors, animal sensors, and DNA detection tools, are proving transformative. Satellite sensors provide extensive data on landscape changes, aiding sustainable farming decisions. Soil sensors can measure organic matter without disturbing crops, and are now mounted on drones and robotic platforms for efficient data collection. Animal sensors, similar to Fitbits, help monitor soil compaction by tracking livestock movements. DNA-based technologies enable rapid detection of soil-borne diseases and microbial communities directly in the field.
These advancements offer promising, cost-effective solutions for farmers to sustainably manage and protect soil health, ensuring more resilient food systems with reduced environmental impacts. The collaboration between researchers and practitioners is emphasized to devise simple, practical monitoring strategies. The article underscores the critical role of agri-tech in soil conservation and sustainable agricultural practices.
Source: This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here.