Novel in-soil nutrient sensors

高效农业要求在作物需要时全年有针对性地施肥，以实现最高产量。对于氮，如果在错误的时间施用太多，那么它可能会在根部获得之前损失到大气中或在排水中浸出。作物测量可以是植物营养状况的有用指标，但是当通过这些方法检测到缺乏时，调整投入已经太晚，并且将导致次最大产量。需要更早和更准确的方法来测量土壤养分的有效性，以保持作物的最佳供应，并最大限度地减少对环境的损失。已经开发了一种新型土壤养分传感器，需要这笔资金对该系统进行严格的实地测试，并将其与现有方法进行比较。还将测试该技术的其他用途，包括使用它来测量土壤中其他重要作物养分的可行性。

Efficient agriculture requires the targeting of fertilizer applications throughout the year when it is needed by the crop to achieve maximum yields. For nitrogen, if too much is applied at the wrong time then it can be lost to the atmosphere or leached in drainage water before it can be accessed by roots. Crop measurements can be useful indicators of the plant's nutritional status, but when a deficiency is detected by these methods it is already too late to adjust inputs and a sub-maximal yield will result. Earlier and more accurate methods of measuring soil nutrient availability are needed to maintain an optimal supply to crops and minimise the amount lost to the environment. A new type of soil nutrient sensor has been developed and this funding is requested to rigorously field test the system and compare it with current methods. Other uses of the technology will also be tested, including the feasibility of using it to measure other important crop nutrients in the soil.