An Overview of the Application of Near Infrared Spectroscopy to Analyze and Monitor Soil Properties in South America

Abstract

Soil is critical to the world, supplying virtually all of the food and fiber that sustain the human population and providing the space for the ecosystems that support life. The characterization of soil properties through laboratory analysis is an essential part of the diagnosis of the potential use of lands and their fertility. However, conventional soil chemical analyses are expensive and time consuming, hampering the adoption of soil management practices. In recent years, farmers are also increasingly demanding rapid, cost-effective, and nondestructive methods for monitoring changes as well as measuring the physical–chemical properties in soils. This article reviews applications of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to assess, monitor, and classify soils in South America.