H2020 BIOMAP2SOIL Project: Biological soil analysis and advanced data analysis for precision agriculture maps.

A precision agriculture tool that allows farmers to measure soil biological activity. New technology allows farmers to see the type of microorganisms present in a particular type of soil and adapt their resources accordingly. The global population is projected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050, a 25% increase from current figures. Feeding this population will require society to double its current level of food production. To achieve this, precision agriculture exists. “Precision agriculture uses new technologies to observe, measure, and respond to crop variability,” says Jorge Blanco, R&D director at Greenfield Technologies, a Spanish agricultural technology company.

"The goal is to increase crop yield and profitability while reducing the level of resources required for cultivation." Despite the potential of precision agriculture, Blanco says its widespread use is hampered by a general lack of understanding of the importance of precise soil variability. "Soil texture, water content, pH level, and biological properties all influence irrigation, seeds, and fertilizers used," he explains. "As current sampling relies on subjectivity and analytical techniques require large soil samples, they are extremely inefficient." To fill this gap, Greenfield Technologies has developed BIOMAP2SOIL, a new method that measures physical, chemical, and biological variability based on objective soil sampling. "With these measurements, our solution generates soil maps and provides farmers with practical recommendations for efficient irrigation and crop management," Blanco adds. Thanks to the support of EU funding, Greenfield Technologies has been able to develop, test, and commercialize its innovative BIOMAP2SOIL solution. Examination of biological activity in soil BIOMAP2SOIL is based on the company's MAP2SOIL solution.

This solution uses a sensor capable of measuring apparent electrical conductivity at different soil depths. The sensor is installed on a tractor and travels around the entire farm to collect data. This data is analyzed and used to create maps showing the different parameters of the different soil types present on the same plot. "Even if a farm is composed of very different soil types, the entire farm is typically treated the same way," says Blanco. "Precision agriculture solutions like MAP2SOIL make it possible to manage different soil types in a personalized and more efficient way." BIOMAP2SOIL takes this process a step further, measuring not only the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil, but also its biological activity. "We believe that understanding soil health and its variability within the same farm is just as important as understanding its composition," adds Blanco.

To do this, BIOMAP2SOIL examines the interior of the soil to observe the biological activity taking place. “The soil is full of microorganisms, some pathogenic, while others are beneficial to crop growth,” he explains. The BIOMAP2SOIL solution focuses on the presence of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), bacteria that can increase plant growth and stimulate their immune system. “By analyzing the presence of pathogens or PGPR before planting a crop, BIOMAP2SOIL helps farmers optimize their resources,” says Blanco. A step in the right direction With the support of EU funding, Greenfield Technologies has successfully validated the use of BIOMAP2SOIL in real-world situations. It also conducted a thorough competitive analysis, obtained the necessary patents, and developed a comprehensive strategy for launching BIOMAP2SOIL on the international market.

"There is still a long way to go to increase global food production to a level capable of meeting the demands of a growing population," Blanco concludes. "Precision agriculture solutions like BIOMAP2SOIL represent a major step in the right direction."