High-speed soil analysis tool invented in India
The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) has invented a portable instrument that can determine the condition of the soil in as little as 90 seconds using a mobile app.
This is reported by krishijagran.com.
It is noted that the high-speed analyzer displays results at once for 6 main parameters (including indicators of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, organic carbon, etc.).
“Farmers face many difficulties, one of which is taking soil tests and waiting for the results within a few days. This won't be a problem now. I am delighted for the team from Kanpur (IIT-K) for developing such a new device that will help individual farmers assess the health of their soil with virtually no time wasted, ”said IIT-K Director Abhay Karandikar.
The latest equipment also provides comprehensive recommendations on the required doses of fertilizers for field crops produced on a given soil. To start the device, only 5 g of a soil sample is required.
The system is based on near infrared spectroscopy technology and provides comprehensive real-time soil analysis reports to a smartphone, and all collected data is transmitted to farmers using the Bhuparikshak mobile app.
The development is currently being tested at the agro-technical company AgroNxt Services, which intends to help promote the new solution for farmers on the market.