This recent review article published in Sensors takes a close look at how nutrient-sensing technologies are helping agriculture tackle some of its biggest challenges—like ensuring food security in a world dealing with soil degradation, nutrient loss, and climate change.
Study: Trends of Soil and Solution Nutrient Sensing for Open Field and Hydroponic Cultivation in Facilitated Smart Agriculture. Image Credit: NovitaSari Image/Shutterstock.com
The review brings together research on these technologies and looks at their advancements, challenges, and applications in both traditional farming and hydroponic systems, highlighting how these tools can help farmers use resources more efficiently while improving productivity and sustainability.
Why Nutrient Sensing Matters
Modern agriculture is dealing with several pressing challenges, including soil degradation, nutrient depletion, and the effects of climate change. These issues are reducing crop yields and affecting the quality of agricultural produce, which puts food security at risk.
In this study, the authors outline how precision agriculture—a data-driven approach to farming—can help address these problems. Nutrient-sensing technologies are presented as essential tools in this effort, allowing farmers to monitor soil health and nutrient levels in real time. This makes it easier to implement targeted nutrient management strategies, which improve both productivity and sustainability.
Key Themes in the Review
The review covers several important aspects of nutrient-sensing technologies and how they’re shaping modern agriculture. A key focus is on soil nutrient sensing, which involves tracking crucial factors like pH, organic matter, and macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Tools like near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and ion-selective electrodes allow farmers to get real-time data on these elements. This means they can make better decisions about when and how to fertilize their crops, helping to keep the soil healthy and productive. In the bigger picture, this kind of precision plays a major role in improving food security by boosting crop yields.
Another highlight of the review is the use of decision support systems (DSS) alongside nutrient-sensing tools. These systems process the data from sensors and turn it into practical recommendations for farmers.
For example, DSS can help determine the best nutrient management strategies to improve efficiency and reduce waste. The review shares examples of how DSS has been successfully implemented in various farming scenarios, showing how technology can help make agriculture more productive and sustainable at the same time.
The role of nutrient sensing in hydroponics is another important topic. Since hydroponic farming doesn’t use soil, nutrient solutions need to be carefully monitored to ensure plants are getting exactly what they need.
Advanced sensors make it possible to check nutrient levels in real time, keeping the balance just right for optimal plant growth. This kind of precision is especially valuable in urban farming and other situations where space and resources are limited. Together, these insights show how nutrient-sensing technologies are helping farmers work smarter while addressing the growing need for sustainable food production.
Results and Discussion
The results and discussion section brings together findings from the reviewed studies, highlighting both the progress made in nutrient-sensing technologies and their potential impact on agriculture. Tools like NIR spectroscopy and ion-selective electrodes have significantly changed how farmers monitor soil and nutrient conditions. These technologies allow for real-time, field-level monitoring, enabling farmers to act quickly and make decisions that improve crop health and boost productivity.
However, the review doesn’t shy away from the challenges. The authors point out that affordability, accessibility, and technical limitations are major barriers, especially for farmers in resource-limited regions.
To address these issues, they propose practical solutions, such as developing smaller, more affordable sensors and creating cost-effective alternatives. Tackling these challenges could make nutrient-sensing tools more accessible, encouraging wider adoption and supporting sustainable agricultural practices that contribute to food security.
The review also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between disciplines. Advancing nutrient-sensing technologies requires input from agronomy, engineering, data science, and environmental science.
By combining expertise from these fields, it’s possible to develop well-rounded solutions to the complex issues surrounding food security. The authors stress that ongoing research and innovation are critical to ensure these technologies continue to evolve and meet the needs of modern agriculture.
Conclusion
To wrap up, the review provides a detailed look at how advancements in nutrient-sensing technologies are improving agricultural productivity and sustainability. The authors underline the importance of these tools in tackling the growing challenges of food security, especially in the face of a changing world. With the ability to monitor soil and nutrient conditions in real time, farmers can make smarter, data-driven decisions to optimize resource use and increase crop yields.
The review also highlights the need for ongoing research and innovation in this field. Overcoming challenges like cost and accessibility will require collaboration across disciplines, bringing together expertise in agronomy, engineering, data science, and environmental science. As the global population grows, integrating these advanced technologies into farming practices will be vital for ensuring long-term food security.
Journal Reference
Reza MN, Lee K-H, et al. (2025). Trends of Soil and Solution Nutrient Sensing for Open Field and Hydroponic Cultivation in Facilitated Smart Agriculture. Sensors 25(2):453. DOI: 10.3390/s25020453, https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/2/453