Development and deployment of advanced algorithms and computational tool for soil health assessment in Brazilian croplands

Abstract

Soil plays a crucial function in providing essential environmental benefits and services for human well-being and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. However, approximately 40% of global soils are currently degraded, posing significant challenges to crop production and food security. Soil health encompasses the continuous capacity of soil as a living ecosystem to maintain environmental quality, support crop productivity, and ensure human health. Evaluating and enhancing soil health is essential for ensuring agricultural systems more productive and resilient. To conduct comprehensive soil health assessments in Brazil, it is imperative to develop advanced computational approaches. These approaches further enhance the scalability of the soil health assessments. However, to ensure precise assessments, it is crucial to improve interpretation curves and develop region-specific algorithms that account for diverse conditions in terms of soil types, climate, topography, parent material, land use, and management practices. This is especially significant for Brazil, as it is a major player in global food production and ranks fourth worldwide in publishing soil health studies. In this project, our goal is to develop computational approach to assess soil health in Brazilian agricultural areas. To achieve this, we goal is develop algorithms for soil health indicators (such as pH, P, K, C, and Bd) specific to Brazil (SOHMA Tool), and compare the results obtained by the SOHMA Tool with results generated by the SMAF Tool. The project results will advance the understanding and assessment of soil health in Brazilian agricultural areas. By developing and validating new tools and interpretation methods, we expect to promote more sustainable land management practices across the country, as well as have soil health metrics to monitor their effectiveness over time.