A unique precision soil scanning procedure was presented in Europe

In recent decades, the structure of the soil has deteriorated a lot, which could lead to soil loss – deflation and erosion – and reduced water retention capacity. One-sided, mainly nitrogen-predominant fertilization has reduced the nutrient supply of the soil, and production plants use less soil improvement in order to improve the availability of nutrients, explained Péter Heicz, head of Syngenta soil health.

Due to the deterioration of the soils, the occasional large amount of precipitation cannot seep into the soil and can even cause erosion in sloping areas. This is associated with a reduction in the fruiting layer, which is responsible for providing nutrients. In the event of a drought, degraded soils cannot store a large amount of water, so their sensitivity to drought is much greater, and the developing plant is unable to live up to its genetic potential and may produce a lower yield and quality.

During agricultural production, nitrogen plays a fundamental role in the growth and production of plants, and in the creation of plant proteins. The role of phosphorus in plant life processes is more complex than that of other nutrients, it takes part in essentially all metabolic processes. Potassium enhances crop security, improves water balance and frost tolerance, and reduces bending. But in addition to these, the lack or excess of individual meso- and micro-elements can also affect crop safety. Detailed soil information is therefore very important for profitable crop production.

Syngenta, one of the world’s leading agricultural companies, already started supporting agricultural production with its digital product portfolio in the previous decade. In addition to supporting decisions related to seed and crop protection agents, it introduced Interra Scan’s soil-focused service, which is one of the most innovative technological approaches in the world.