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The Scope for Using Proximal Soil Sensing by the Farmers of India

Author

Listed:
  • Sanjib Kumar Behera

    (ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Nabibagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal 462038, India
    Macdonald Campus, McGill University, 21,111, Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X3V9, Canada)

  • Viacheslav I. Adamchuk

    (Macdonald Campus, McGill University, 21,111, Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X3V9, Canada)

  • Arvind Kumar Shukla

    (ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Nabibagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal 462038, India)

  • Punyavrat Suvimalendu Pandey

    (Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi 110012, India)

  • Pardeep Kumar

    (College of Agriculture, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Visvavidyalaya, Palampur 176062, India)

  • Vimal Shukla

    (ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Nabibagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal 462038, India)

  • Chitdeshwari Thiyagarajan

    (Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, India)

  • Hitendra Kumar Rai

    (Faculty of Agriculture, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur 482004, India)

  • Sandeep Hadole

    (College of Agriculture, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola 444104, India)

  • Anil Kumar Sachan

    (College of Agriculture, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur 208002, India)

  • Pooja Singh

    (College of Agriculture, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Gwalior 474002, India)

  • Vivek Trivedi

    (ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India)

  • Ashutosh Mishra

    (Faculty of Agriculture, Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, Satna 485334, India)

  • Nagender Pal Butail

    (College of Agriculture, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Visvavidyalaya, Palampur 176062, India)

  • Praveen Kumar

    (College of Agriculture, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Visvavidyalaya, Palampur 176062, India)

  • Rahul Prajapati

    (College of Agriculture, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur 208002, India)

  • Kshitij Tiwari

    (College of Agriculture, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur 208002, India)

  • Deepika Suri

    (College of Agriculture, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Visvavidyalaya, Palampur 176062, India)

  • Munish Sharma

    (College of Agriculture, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Visvavidyalaya, Palampur 176062, India)

Abstract

Knowledge about spatial distribution patterns of soil attributes is very much needed for site-specific soil nutrient management (SSSNM) under precision agriculture. High spatial heterogeneity exists in the agricultural soils of India due to various reasons. The present practice of assessing the spatial variability of the vast cultivated landscape of India by using traditional soil sampling and analysis is costly and time consuming. Hence, proximal soil sensing (PSS) is an attractive option to assess the plot-scale spatial variability pattern (SVP) of soil attributes for SSSNM. A PSS system, either in a fixed position or mounted on a vehicle (on-the-go), can be used to obtain measurements by having direct contact with soil. PSS measurements provide low-cost and high-density data pertaining to the SVPs of soil attributes. These data can be used to generate digital elevation and soil attribute variability maps at the field scale in a crop production environment. Based on the generated variability maps, locally available and economically feasible agricultural inputs can be applied using variable rate application strategies for sustainable cropping and enhanced farm profit. This overview presents the potential of adopting PSS in India and other developing countries. The scope, challenges, and probable solutions are also proposed. There is ample scope for adoption of PSS in India in view of diverse soil types, climatic conditions, cropping patterns, crop management practices, and ultimately, the ever-increasing demand for higher agricultural production. However, the successful adoption of the PSS technique in India will be dependent on the proper design and adoption of strategies which require adequate planning and analysis. There are several studies that have highlighted the usefulness of soil sensing technologies in Indian soils. There are also certain challenges and limitations associated with PSS in India, which could be addressed. The available proximal soil sensing technologies will be of great help in improving the understanding of soil heterogeneity for adopting SSSNM in order to optimize crop production in India and other developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Sanjib Kumar Behera & Viacheslav I. Adamchuk & Arvind Kumar Shukla & Punyavrat Suvimalendu Pandey & Pardeep Kumar & Vimal Shukla & Chitdeshwari Thiyagarajan & Hitendra Kumar Rai & Sandeep Hadole & Ani, 2022. "The Scope for Using Proximal Soil Sensing by the Farmers of India," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:14:p:8561-:d:861615
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Karolina Pawlak & Małgorzata Kołodziejczak, 2020. "The Role of Agriculture in Ensuring Food Security in Developing Countries: Considerations in the Context of the Problem of Sustainable Food Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-20, July.
    2. Tiziano Gomiero, 2016. "Soil Degradation, Land Scarcity and Food Security: Reviewing a Complex Challenge," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-41, March.
    3. Ranjan Bhattacharyya & Birendra Nath Ghosh & Prasanta Kumar Mishra & Biswapati Mandal & Cherukumalli Srinivasa Rao & Dibyendu Sarkar & Krishnendu Das & Kokkuvayil Sankaranarayanan Anil & Manickam Lali, 2015. "Soil Degradation in India: Challenges and Potential Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-43, March.
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