Advancements in Soil Testing: The Rise of Dry Chemistry and Spectroscopy

Neoperk Technologies
5 min readJan 12, 2025

--

Spectroscopy — the study of interaction of light and matter

Have you ever wondered how we measure distant objects in space without ever reaching them? The answer lies in spectroscopy — the science of analyzing light (electromagnetic radiation) and its interaction with matter to uncover its composition, structure and various characteristics . Interestingly, this same principle is applied in soil spectroscopy, where Near-Infrared (NIR) or Mid-Infrared (MIR) light interacts with soil to reveal its chemical composition, all without disturbing the sample or using chemicals.

Soil testing has become a fundamental practice in sustainable agriculture, providing crucial insights into soil composition and fertility. Traditionally, soil analysis relied heavily on wet chemistry methods, involving complex procedures, extensive sample preparation, and chemical reagents. While accurate, these approaches are time-consuming, expensive, and challenging to scale for larger regions or diverse soil types.

The increasing demand for precise, real-time soil data essential for precision agriculture, carbon sequestration, and climate-smart farming has driven a shift towards innovative technologies. In this blog, we will explore the journey of soil testing and soil spectroscopy — especially diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), which has emerged as a promising technology. This method allows rapid, non-destructive, and chemical-free analysis of soil, enabling farmers and researchers to make more informed decisions in real-time.

The Science and Foundation of Spectroscopy: Beer-Lambert Law

Spectroscopy is a powerful technique that involves shining light on a sample and analyzing how the light interacts with the material. In the case of soil, Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is particularly effective due to its interaction with soil components, such as organic matter, minerals, and water. These interactions are then measured to provide valuable information about the soil’s chemical parameters — without the need for any chemical reagents or preparation.

While the concept of spectroscopy may seem abstract, the underlying principle is quite simple: Different compounds absorb and reflect light at distinct wavelengths. By measuring these interactions, we can infer the presence and quantity of various soil constituents.

The effectiveness of spectroscopy is rooted in the Beer-Lambert Law, a fundamental principle of absorption spectroscopy. According to this law, the amount of light absorbed by a sample is directly proportional to the concentration of the absorbing substance and the path length of the light. In soil spectroscopy, this principle allows us to estimate the concentrations of various soil components by analyzing the amount of light absorbed at specific wavelengths. This principle forms the foundation of spectroscopic techniques, providing the quantitative basis for determining the chemical composition of the soil based on spectral data.

Advancements in MEMS & MOEMS Technology

MEMS Technology: Bringing Advanced Spectroscopy to Agriculture

For years, high-quality spectrometers used for soil analysis were large, expensive, and primarily used in laboratories. However, the advent of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) sensor technology has led to a reduction in the cost and size of spectrometric instruments, making them more accessible to industries like agriculture.

MEMS sensors, with their tiny size and low cost, have enabled the development of compact, portable spectrometers. These devices provide the same high-resolution spectroscopic data as traditional instruments but at a fraction of the cost. By combining MEMS technology with soil spectroscopy, large-scale soil data collection across both space and time has become more accessible, cost-effective, and reliable. This innovation enables more widespread and efficient soil monitoring, empowering agricultural practices with better insights for enhanced productivity and sustainability.

Global Efforts in Soil Spectroscopy and Climate Change

Soil plays a pivotal role in the global carbon cycle, acting as a vital carbon sink by sequestering atmospheric carbon. Soil organic carbon (SOC), stored as organic material within the soil, is a critical component in this cycle. Spectroscopy, especially NIR and diffuse reflectance techniques, offers an efficient, non-destructive means to measure and monitor these carbon stocks.

Organizations like the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) are championing dry spectroscopy methods, promoting their adoption globally to enhance soil health monitoring. Furthermore, frameworks such as Verra’s Improved Agricultural Land Management methodology now recognize soil spectroscopy as a reliable tool for SOC measurement. This integration not only supports carbon credit initiatives but also incentivizes farmers to adopt sustainable soil management practices, amplifying agriculture’s role in combating climate change.

Soil Carbon Sequestration

Neoperk’s Role in Making Spectroscopy Accessible

Neoperk is a pioneering start-up in soil spectroscopy in India, merging innovation with practicality and real-world application. We are developing a low-cost, high-resolution NIR spectrometer that utilizes diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to make spectral measurements of powered samples effortless. Combined with our high-quality soil datasets, which maximize variability while minimizing sample size, and the use of state-of-the-art machine learning (ML) models, we empower farmers with actionable insights, making spectroscopy results meaningful and accessible at the grassroots level.

This cutting-edge technology enables farmers to assess the chemical properties of their soil instantly, without waiting for wet-lab results. With real-time data on key parameters like Soil Organic Carbon (SOC), pH, plant-available nutrients and more, farmers can make data-driven decisions regarding fertilization and crop nutrient management, ultimately improving crop yields and reducing input costs.

Watch our NeoSoil Device (NSD) in action here.

At Neoperk, our mission is to make soil analysis and soil data collection faster, more accessible, and impactful by harnessing advanced spectroscopy technology. By bringing the precision of space exploration to the ground beneath our feet, we are revolutionizing agriculture — one soil test at a time.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates on our technology and the latest trends in spectroscopy!

--

--

Neoperk Technologies
Neoperk Technologies

Written by Neoperk Technologies

Farming agricultural insights from Soil! We are a tech start-up which leverages Advanced Spectroscopy and AI/ML to solve complex problems!

No responses yet