Applications in sustainable production

Abstract

One of the challenges of soil testing has been to develop rapid tests. Our ability to design new soil, plant and water analyses has progressed though the modern ages. One can argue the beginning of soil science, but this paper will address the progress in soil chemical fertility from the 1800's through to the present. From the first descriptions of physical and chemical methods for soil analysis until the present, there have been two requests from growers and field consultants. First, the process from sampling through reporting of the results must occur more rapidly. Second, the process must require less effort from the sampler and less material sampled. With the advent of modern computers, remote sensing tools, automated in‐field data acquisition and automated application of amendments for crop production, there is constant pressure from the users of these tools to speed up the sampling and analytical process. These users have often requested non‐destructive sampling and analysis plus recommendations for application of crop production amendments that can occur simultaneously. This paper will discuss the brief history of soil science and make predictions about the near future in relation to these demands of the end users of soil, plant and water analysis.