Determining the Water Retention Capacity of Naturally Fertilized Soil Through Machine Learning

Background

The soil, a vital non-renewable resource, has suffered degradation due to excessive reliance on synthetic fertilizers. At the same time, managing the global surplus of animal manure has become a critical challenge, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, especially from large-scale farms. By promoting natural fertilizers such as manure, biochar, and compost, regenerative farming practices can restore soil health, reduce emissions, and enhance soil water retention. This Omdena-Nitrolytics project aimed to tackle these issues using a data-driven, AI-centric approach.

Objective

The main objectives of this project were to:

• Develop a tool to estimate soil water retention and water-holding capacity when natural fertilizers are applied.
• Demonstrate the benefits of organic soil amendments in improving soil water retention.
• Provide real-time insights to farmers on crop water demands to optimize water conservation.
• Explore biochar’s role in enhancing soil properties and supporting intelligent irrigation systems.

Approach

The project employed a data-centric methodology, leveraging AI to address the challenge of optimizing soil water retention. Key steps included:

1. Data Collection: Aggregating relevant data from diverse sources to analyze soil properties and the effects of organic fertilizers.
2. Analysis and Modeling: Using advanced machine learning and AI techniques to evaluate the impact of manure, biochar, and compost on soil water retention.
3. Tool Development: Designing a user-friendly tool to provide actionable insights for farmers, including real-time crop water requirements and irrigation strategies.
4. Collaborative Effort: Partnering with subject matter experts, data scientists, and stakeholders to ensure a holistic solution.

Results and Impact

The project successfully developed an AI-powered tool that demonstrated the benefits of natural fertilizers on soil water retention. Key outcomes included:

• Significant improvement in soil water-holding capacity when using manure, biochar, and compost.
• Real-time insights for farmers to optimize water usage and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
• A clear demonstration of how biochar applications enhance soil capabilities, contributing to efficient irrigation and water conservation.
  This initiative supports regenerative farming practices, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Future Implications

The findings from this project have the potential to:

• Influence agricultural policies that encourage the use of natural fertilizers and soil amendments.
• Drive further research into optimizing the use of biochar and compost in farming.
• Contribute to climate change mitigation by reducing synthetic fertilizer usage and improving soil health.
  By integrating AI and sustainable practices, this project offers a scalable model for improving global soil water retention and advancing regenerative agriculture.