The impacts
Reducing over-fertilisation is crucial for minimising environmental degradation . Excessive fertiliser use can lead to nutrient runoff , which contaminates water bodies and disrupts ecosystems . By using SoilProp ©, farmers can significantly reduce the environmental impact of their agricultural practices , promoting more sustainable and ecofriendly farming methods .
SoilProp © is designed to rapidly provide accurate soil information , significantly improving efficiency compared to conventional methods . For an area of 100 hectares , SoilProp © can deliver results within three to four days , whereas traditional soil fertility assessment methods typically take two to four weeks . These traditional methods are labour-intensive , costly , and timeconsuming , requiring substantial human resources and financial investment .
By implementing the SoilProp © system , farmers can achieve notable economic benefits . Crops cultivated using this system have shown an increase in yield by up to 26 %, while fertiliser costs can be reduced by up to 50 %. This dual advantage not only boosts farmers ’ income but also enhances overall agricultural productivity . Moreover , by optimising fertiliser use , the system helps farmers apply the precise amount of nutrients needed , reducing waste and ensuring that crops receive optimal nourishment for growth .
In addition to the direct benefits to farmers , the system also offers significant advantages for Government agricultural policies . Fertiliser subsidies constitute a major portion of Government support for farmers . By enabling more efficient and effective fertiliser use , SoilProp © allows for better control and a potential reduction of these subsidies , leading to substantial savings in public expenditure .
Furthermore , the system plays a critical role in environmental conservation . By minimising the overuse of chemical fertilisers , SoilProp © reduces nutrient runoff into water bodies , thereby reducing pollution and mitigating the negative impact on ecosystems . This technology supports sustainable farming practices , promoting a balance between agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship .
REFERENCE
[ 1 ] Adamchuk , V . I ., Hummel , J . W ., Morgan , M . T ., Upadhyaya , S . K ., 2004 . On-the-go soil sensors for precision agriculture . Comput . Electron . Agric . 44 ( 1 ), 71 – 91 .
[ 2 ] Greenland , D . J . and Hayes M . H . B . ( 1981 ). The Chemistry of Soil Processes . John Wiley and Sons Ltd . 593-619 .
[ 3 ] Bijay-Singh et al ( 2012 ), Fixed-time adjustable dose site-specific fertilizer nitrogen management in transplanted irrigated rice ( Oryza sativa L .) in South Asia . Field Crops Research 126 ( 2012 ): 63-69 .
[ 4 ] Loreto , A . B ., Morgan , M . T ., 1996 . Development of an Automated System for Field Measurement of Soil Nitrate . Paper No . 96-1087 . ASAE , St . Joseph , MI , USA .
[ 5 ] Christy , C ., Drummond , P ., Laird , D ., 2003 . An On-the-go Spectral Reflectance Sensor for Soil . Paper No . 03-1044 . ASAE , St . Joseph , MI .
[ 6 ] Adamchuk , V . I ., Lund , E ., Sethuramasamyraja , B ., Dobermann , A ., Marx , D . B ., 2005 . Direct measurement of soil chemical properties on-the-go using ion selective electrodes . Comput . Electron . Agric . 48 ( 3 ), 272 – 294 .
[ 7 ] Birrell , S . J ., Hummel , J . W ., 2001 . Real-time multi-ISFET / FIA soil analysis system with automatic sample extraction . Comput . Electron . Agric . 32 ( 1 ), 45 – 67 .
[ 8 ] Shibusawa , S ., 2003 . On-line real time soil sensor . In : Proceedings of the 2003 IEEE / ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechanics , pp . 1061 – 1066 .
[ 9 ] Sethuramasamyraja , B ., Adamchuk , V . I ., Marx , D . B ., Dobermann , A ., 2005 . Evaluation of Ion Selective Electrode Methodology for Integrated On-the-go Mapping of Soil Chemical Properties ( pH , K & NO3 ), ASAE Paper No . 05-1036 . ASAE , St . Joseph , MI , USA .
[ 10 ] D . L . Corwin and S . M . Lesch ( 2005 ), Apparent soil electrical conductivity measurements in agriculture . Computers and Electronics in Agriculture Volume 46 , Issues 1-3 , March 2005 : 11-43
[ 11 ] Brevik , E . C . and Fenton , T . E . ( 2002 ). Influence of soil water content , clay , temperature , and carbonate minerals on electrical conductivity
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