Prof. Asim Biswas, 50 Stone Road East, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, CANADA

The absence of an alternative "Plan(et) B" emphasizes the criticality of optimizing the management of our limited land and arable soil resources to ensure food security amid a growing global population. Similar to how test results are indispensable for initiating treatments in the case of living beings, precise measurement of soil properties is crucial for achieving optimized soil management. However, the expensive, laborious, and time-consuming nature of fieldwork, sample collection, processing, and laboratory analysis restricts detailed soil measurement and subsequent decision-making. Fortunately, sensor technology has overcome the limitations of traditional soil measurements and revolutionized the generation of new soil data. These sensors generate a vast amount of data, enabling us to comprehend the underlying soil processes and make informed management decisions. In this presentation, a series of case studies will be presented, showcasing the use of various sensors to collect data and extract information on underlying soil processes at different scales. Examples include employing image-based techniques for characterizing and measuring soil properties at a small scale, utilizing electromagnetic induction techniques to measure and monitor soil salinity at a field scale, and leveraging remote sensing to measure and monitor soil over large areas. Additionally, the talk will address the challenges associated with these measurements and understanding the underlying soil processes.