SoilSense: Real-time Measurement of Primary Soil Nutrients for Efficient Crop Production & Management

The project will deliver a low-cost, wireless, in-soil sensor system for monitoring available moisture, pH and nutrients continuously and at multiple depths in ‘indicator’ sections of fields. Early adoption will be against labile N for Velcourt's arable wheat production. This will be extended to potatoes, OSR & livestock forage, including the technically-demanding sensing of semi-labile P & K. The commercial proposition will build-on the integrated agronomy services offered by Origin to calibrate the sensor results & determine the relationship between sensor output and available plant nutrients. Field & lab trials will relate this data to seasonal plant responses to understand the dynamics of nutrient release / mineralisation & plant uptake / immobilisation. Delivery of the validated sensor will allow 'smart' dynamic control of fertiliser application and optimise nutrient inputs Vs field biological yield potential.