CCB. Artículos indexados en Scopus · 2026

Field detection of soil properties through sensors: A review

Soil condition is considered critical for crop development. As such, there has been an interest in more detailed, site-specific management techniques that adapt to different resolution scales based on the production area. However, farmers sometimes lack access to conventional sampling systems due to insufficient knowledge or technical support. In addition, laboratory processing times and costs may not align with the needs of agronomic activities of land preparation, fertilization, and weed control. Obtaining results from a single spatial point through laboratory processing can also be highly uncertain, as it may not constitute a representative spatial sample. The aim of this article was to review various strategies for detecting soil properties, focusing on field methods and sensors, and to present comprehensive information on the operating principles, while considering factors affecting the calibration and operation of different devices. This will aid in precision agriculture applications, depending on the limitations of the analyzed devices. The article presents an analysis of different soil characteristics and the related sensors to measure them. A relationship exists between the operating principles, technological development through invention patents, and the availability of commercialscale equipment for selecting a field sensor. The results suggest a commercial predominance of sensors primarily focused on optical and electromagnetic principles. However, a significant opportunity exists to explore electrochemical principles, particularly for complex soil variables, such as soil organic carbon.