Prediction of Soil Nutrients from Different Soil Textures using Portable Spectrometer and Machine Learning

Soil nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, are critical for plant growth and agricultural productivity. Conventional laboratory methods for measuring these nutrients are accurate but often time-consuming, costly, and environmentally taxing. This study explores the potential of portable visible-near infrared (Vis-NIR) spectrometer combined with machine learning algorithms as a rapid, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternative for soil nutrient analysis. Soil samples of clay, clay loam, and sandy clay were collected and analyzed using artificial neural network (ANN) approach to predict soil nutrients. A total of 81 reflectance spectra data from each soil type were acquired using an AS7265x sensor and processed to develop a predictive model for nutrient content. ANN models demonstrated high accuracy, with R² values exceeding 0.8 in each type of soil texture. This study emphasizes the potential of portable Vis-NIR spectrometer and machine learning integration to revolutionize soil nutrient analysis, offering significant improvements in agricultural efficiency and sustainability.