University farm of Széchenyi István University

Living Lab

Innovative Soil Scanner

How the farm is managed

Experimental farm

Technology

Soil scanner enables farmers and advisors to analyse nutrients in soil in a fast, and reliable way. The goal is to change the “we used to do it this way” thinking in nutrient management. It supports the fact-based nutrient management startegies in both small and large farms so that they can make up-to-date, site-specific decisions. Fertilization based on actual soil information is essential to optimize fertilization and reduce environmental impact. The AgroCares soilscanner consists of a soil scanner, an app that can be downloaded to the phone, and background support provided by the device manufacturer. Among the available licenses, the "Advanced" package we show, which measures the following parameters: N-total, P-total, K-exch, pH (water), Organic matter %, CEC, Clay %, Ca (exch.), Mg (exch.), AI-total, Fe-total, Moisture %. SoilCares Scanner uses infrared (NIR) sensor technology, converting the sensor’s calibration data to the chemical characteristics of the soil. The soil scanner provides a soil analysis report, including recommended crops to grow on the soil and nutrient management advice. Farmers who are taking soil test data into account for nutrient management are dependent on a laboratory or a service company, unable to make their own immediate, site-specific decisions. By teaching farmers to use / interpret instant, site-specific soil data, we give the knowledge to their hands to make their own decisions. In this way they can reduce the exposure of their farms to, for example, climate or economic hazards.