Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pendleton, Oregon » Columbia Plateau Conservation Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #401933
Research Project: Nutrient Cycling and Precipitation Use Efficiency for Increasing Productivity and Resilience in Dryland Agroecosystems

Location: Columbia Plateau Conservation Research Center

Title: Soil analysis using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Author
item MILORI, DEBORA - Embrapa
item MARTIN-NETO, LADISLAU - Embrapa
item Gollany, Hero
item DE BABOS, DIEGO - Embrapa
item LEVA BORDUCHI, LUIS - Embrapa
item VILLAS-BOAS, PAULINO - Embrapa

Submitted to: Elsevier
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/25/2023
Publication Date: 3/16/2023
Citation: Milori, D., Martin-Neto, L., Gollany, H.T., de Babos, D.V., Leva Borduchi, L.C., Villas-Boas, P. 2023. Soil analysis using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. In: Goss, M.J., Oliver, M.A., editors. Encyclopedia of Soils in the Environment: Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences. 2nd edition. Amsterdam, NL: Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-822974-3.00211-1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-822974-3.00211-1

Interpretive Summary: Analyses of soil physicochemical properties, including texture, carbon (C) content, and plant nutrients, are essential for effective farm management. However, because they require several time-consuming and expensive methods, such analyses are not viable on a large scale, as in precision agriculture. An attractive alternative to these methods is laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), which provides quick, affordable, and simultaneous assessments of several soil characteristics. This chapter covers the latest advances in LIBS for assessing toxic elements, plant nutrients, C content, and physicochemical properties of soils. For each assessment, the benefits and limitations of LIBS, compared to conventional methods, will be discussed.

Technical Abstract: Analyses of soil physicochemical properties, including texture, carbon (C) content, and plant nutrients, are essential for effective farm management. However, because they require several time-consuming and expensive methods, such analyses are not viable on a large scale, as in precision agriculture. An attractive alternative to these methods is laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), which provides quick, affordable, and simultaneous assessments of several soil characteristics. This chapter covers the latest advances in LIBS for assessing toxic elements, plant nutrients, C content, and physicochemical properties of soils. For each assessment, the benefits and limitations of LIBS, compared to conventional methods, will be discussed.