Reliable Soil Diagnostic Technology for Smart Nutrient Management
Author: Bernardita Sallato C.
Published: 2023
Summary: A smart orchard project was implemented in Chiawana Orchards in 2020 in collaboration with several industry and university partners. This collaboration initiated a system that enabled the assessment and ground truthing of conventional and new technologies. Under the umbrella of the smart orchard initiative, this project focused on technology for soil chemical management for reliable diagnosis. Soil physical and chemical testing has been used for more than a century to guide nutrient management practices. Today, new technology could provide opportunities for precision and remote management. Our goal is to develop “smart nutrient management” strategies based on quantifiable needs. For these, our specific objectives were to: a. Characterize different soil testing methods/technologies and their relationship with plant response, b. Investigate tools to assess and map soil variability and c. Contribute to the “smart orchard initiative” in the area of soil nutrient sensing and management.
