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ZENODO
Part of book or chapter of book . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Part of book or chapter of book . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Part of book or chapter of book . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Technological Innovations in Soil Science: Digital Soil Mapping, Artificial Intelligence and Precision Agriculture

Authors: Rajesh Kumar Mishra; Divyansh Mishra; Rekha Agarwal;

Technological Innovations in Soil Science: Digital Soil Mapping, Artificial Intelligence and Precision Agriculture

Abstract

Technological innovation—driven by satellite remote sensing, geospatial analytics, machine learning (ML), and Internet-of-Things (IoT) sensor networks—is transforming soil science from descriptive mapping to predictive, near-real-time decision support. Digital Soil Mapping (DSM) integrates the SCORPAN framework with dense covariate stacks (terrain derivatives, spectral indices, climate layers) and modern ML/ensemble models (Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, Convolutional Neural Networks) to produce high-resolution, three-dimensional soil property maps (e.g., Soil Grids). Remote-sensing platforms such as Sentinel and Landsat provide critical spectral and thermal inputs that—when combined with in-situ and hyperspectral laboratory spectroscopy—enable rapid estimation of soil organic carbon (SOC), texture, moisture, pH, and other indicators. Edge AI, autonomous field platforms, and IoT sensor meshes allow continuous soil health monitoring and enable precision interventions (variable-rate fertilization, irrigation scheduling) that improve nutrient-use efficiency (NUE) and reduce environmental losses. Explainable AI (XAI) methods (SHAP, LIME, partial dependence plots) are increasingly critical to translate model outputs into actionable guidance for land managers. Key challenges remain: model transferability across soil-forming contexts, standardization and interoperability of soil observatories (FAIR data), bias from surface cover in remote sensing-derived predictions, and the need for robust validation frameworks. This chapter synthesizes theory, methods, case studies, limitations, and research directions for the DSM→AI→Precision Agriculture pipeline. This chapter presents a comprehensive synthesis of Digital Soil Mapping (DSM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Precision Agriculture technologies transforming soil science. The integration of remote sensing platforms, machine learning algorithms, IoT sensor networks, and decision support systems enables predictive soil intelligence at unprecedented spatial and temporal scales. Advances in ensemble modeling, deep learning for spectral soil analysis, uncertainty quantification, and autonomous soil monitoring are discussed. The chapter further examines challenges related to model transferability, sensor calibration, interpretability, and data governance. Emerging research directions including physics-informed machine learning, federated learning, and agroecosystem digital twins are explored.

Keywords

Digital Soil Mapping (DSM); Soil Organic Carbon (SOC); Geospatial Analytics; SCORPAN Model; Machine Learning in Soil Science; Deep Learning; Remote Sensing; Sentinel Satellite; Landsat Program; Hyperspectral Imaging; Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR); Soil Moisture Retrieval; Spatial Interpolation; Kriging; Ensemble Modeling; Uncertainty Quantification; Artificial Intelligence (AI); Explainable AI (XAI); Precision Agriculture; Internet of Things (IoT); Soil Sensor Networks; Variable Rate Application (VRA); Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE); Decision Support Systems (DSS); Soil Health Monitoring; Digital Twins of Agroecosystems; Sustainable Land Management; Climate-Smart Agriculture; Soil Carbon Sequestration; Data Fusion; Spatial Cross-Validation; Federated Learning; Physics-Informed Machine Learning.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average