Soil and plant sensing using infrared technology

Sensing of soil and plant properties before and during the growing season for nutrients and moisture can be useful in decision making for modern broad-acre grain production. This project aims to review the potential use of cost effective Micro Electronic and Mechanical (MEMS) IR technology on-farm and scope out engineering solutions to many of the variables involved in achieving a good quality reliable soil sample collection and presentation of the MEMS IR sensor. The study will highlight the most suitable and feasible applications of the sensing technology and discuss engineering concepts that would provide growers with hands on devices for collecting soil and plant data. The final objective will be to highlight the most suitable engineering solution to take forward to prototype in a subsequent project, including the design for a proof of concept prototype which will enable on-farm testing during subsequent studies.

This project is funded by the Grain Research and Development Council (GRDC) for one year (2011-2012)

For further information, please contact Chris Saunders