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Methods for Rapid Testing of Plant and Soil Nutrients

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Sustainable Agriculture Reviews

Part of the book series: Sustainable Agriculture Reviews ((SARV,volume 25))

Abstract

Low nutrient level s in soil are a recognized limitation to crop production . Yet, farmers in certain agro-ecoregions either do not apply fertilizers, apply inadequate amounts, or apply the wrong fertilizers due to a mismatch with the nutrient needs of their soil. In many cases, lack of availability of wet chemistry capabilities contribute to farmers in less developed regions not routinely conducting soil tests prior to fertilizer application. Fortunately, novel technologies and commercial products have become available, providing on-farm, timely, and relatively inexpensive soil and plant nutrient analytical services.

Here, we identified rapid soil and plant nutrient testing technologies, currently in the market, based on a web search, and evaluated the basis for deploying them as alternative nutrient analytical systems. Thirty six of such applications were identified, out of which only 5 are dedicated solely to plant analysis. Collectively, the functioning mechanisms of most of the products were found to be based on colorimetry, spectroscopy or sensor technology. However, in comparison with traditional wet chemistry methods, the accuracy of the products is yet to be fully resolved, given the paucity of data in that regard. Subsequently, we reflected upon the effectiveness of the products in generating relevant information to guide rationale fertilizer recommendations, and in that context discussed the concept of balanced fertilizer regimes that consider soil levels of different nutrients; associated soil factors that determine nutrient bioavailability and actual uptake by crops; and complex farming systems that may undermine the precision and efficiency of fertilizer application.

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Acknowledgements

Funding for this work is provided, in part, by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). We would like to thank Susan Yiapan for assistance with internal editorial review of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Virtual Fertilizer Research Center (VFRC), 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC, 20006, USA

    Christian Dimkpa & Prem Bindraban

  2. Utah Water Research Laboratory, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84321, USA

    Joan E. McLean

  3. Agriculture and Food Security Center, The Earth Institute at Columbia University, P.O. Box 1000, Palisades, NY, 10964, USA

    Lydiah Gatere

  4. International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), Muscle Shoals, AL, 35661, USA

    Upendra Singh & Deborah Hellums

Authors
  1. Christian Dimkpa
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  2. Prem Bindraban
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  3. Joan E. McLean
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  4. Lydiah Gatere
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  5. Upendra Singh
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  6. Deborah Hellums
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Correspondence to Christian Dimkpa .

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  1. Europole Mediterraneen de l’Arbois, CEREGE, Aix-Marseille Université, Coll de France, CNRS, INRA, IRD, Aix en Provence Cedex 04, France

    Eric Lichtfouse

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Dimkpa, C., Bindraban, P., McLean, J.E., Gatere, L., Singh, U., Hellums, D. (2017). Methods for Rapid Testing of Plant and Soil Nutrients. In: Lichtfouse, E. (eds) Sustainable Agriculture Reviews. Sustainable Agriculture Reviews, vol 25. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58679-3_1

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