The chemPEGS sensor measures soil ammonium levels, which is a compound that is converted to nitrites in soil bacteria.
Photo: Pixabay/PublicDomainPictures
The agricultural industry is a great place to find technological innovation. Modern farms and other agricultural operations function in a completely different way than they did previously.
The majority of professionals in the industry are willing to adopt new technologies for a variety reasons. Tech can increase efficiency and enable farmers to do more work in a shorter time.
One recent innovation will help farmers reduce the amount fertilizer they use for their crops. Increasing population means more food production, which all depends on fertilizer.
Bioengineers at Imperial College London in the United Kingdom have recently developed a bioengineering system. a low-cost smart soil sensor. It is also known by the chemically functionalized paper-based electronic gas sensor chemPEGS.
The chemPEGS sensor measures the soil’s ammonium levels. Ammonium can be converted by soil bacteria to nitrites. The sensor uses machine learning (ML), a form of artificial intelligence (AI), to create the technology. The sensor relies on weather data, ML, weather data and soil conductivity measurements to function properly.
This data is used by ChemPEGs to predict the amount of nitrogen in soil and how much will be available over the next 12 days. The sensor is used by agriculture professionals to predict the best time to fertilize the soil.
The ultimate goal of this project is to allow farmers limit their fertilizer use while still achieving maximum crop yields. Consider how some plants, like wheat, are more fertiliser-hungry than others. This technology is revolutionary because it can both save farmers money and also allow them to be more productive. Reduce environmental damage fertilizers cause.
How fertilizers can impact the environment
Fertilizer is considered any substance added to soil to promote plant growth, and it’s become a necessary component in agriculture operations, especially as we’ve industrialized. There are many types of fertilizers available, including organic, mineral and industrial. Most fertilizers contain three vital nutrients: nitrogen and phosphorus.
Unfortunately, not all of the nitrogen is used for the crops. In fact, Only 50% of nitrogen is found in fertilizersIt is used in agriculture by plants.
The environment is at risk from nitrogen loss. It can enter the atmosphere and water bodies like lakes, rivers, streams, and oceans. It’s also worth noting that nitrogen-based fertilizers are most commonly used in modern agriculture.
Some soil microorganisms can convert nitrogen into other nitrogen-containing gases known as greenhouse gases (GHGs). Global warming is caused by an increase in GHGs entering the atmosphere. Nitrous oxide, another GHG, is more potent than carbon dioxide.
When Fertilizers are not properly managedThey can also lead to:
- Oxygen depletion
- Algae blooms and weeds
- Ammonia toxicity
- Fecal organisms
- Nitrates
- Gases and odors
All of these elements have a negative impact on the environment. These fertilizers that contain nitrogen are a double-edged weapon. They are essential for plant growth but can also cause excess nitrogen to enter the atmosphere. This can have a number of negative effects on people and animals.
Using chemPEGs to reduce fertilizers’ environmental impacts
Professionals in the agriculture industry should consider adopting the chemPEGS discussed above, rather than using too much nitrogen-based fertilizers. It is difficult to determine the right amount of fertilizer. Too much fertilizer can damage the environment. But too little can be dangerous. The risk of low crop yields.
Poor crop yields can cause food supply disruptions and food insecurity. Millions are already struggling with food insecurity.
Additionally, there’s been a shift in how businesses operate. All sectors of the economy are trying to be more efficient. to adopt more sustainable practicesTo positively impact the environment, more people are choosing eco-friendly lifestyles.
The ML-powered chemPEGS could be a game changer for the agricultural industry. Farmers will be able reduce the amount fertilizer required to produce crops, without compromising the quality of what they harvest. Growers can fine-tune their fertilizing practices to the specific needs of their crops and what outcomes they’re looking to achieve.
“It’s difficult to overstate the problem of overfertilization both environmentally and economically,” Says Max Grell is a researcher from Imperial College London. “Our technology could help tackle this problem by empowering growers to know how much ammonia and nitrate are currently in the soil, and to predict how much there will be in future based on weather conditions.”
As more technologies evolve and emerge, it’s only natural that industries consider adopting them to improve their operations worldwide. Growers have a responsibility towards the public and the environment. The chemPEGs sensors can help them produce maximum crop yields while reducing fertilizer use that causes harm to the environment.