The SOILMONITOR project aims to develop an innovative, miniaturized sensor system for time-series, in-situ monitoring of nitrate, phosphate, and ammonium. Based on a microfluidic chip, combined with nutrient-specific assays and photometric detection, the system enables nutrient measurements directly in the soil. Designed as a fully closed-cycle system, SOILMONITOR can operate maintenance-free without releasing any chemicals into the surrounding soil. Nutrient concentration data are transmitted wirelessly via a LoRaWAN network to a user-friendly interface accessible on PCs and mobile devices, enabling real-time data access and analysis.
The overall objective of the project is to provide a direct and dynamic insight into soil nutrient status, supporting data-driven decision-making in agriculture and environmental management. By enabling precise fertilization strategies and continuous soil-quality monitoring, SOILMONITOR contributes to reduced management effort, minimized nutrient leaching, compliance with environmental regulations, and lower greenhouse gas emissions, particularly nitrous oxide (N2O). Ultimately, the project seeks to advance sustainable soil management practices through reliable, long-term, and autonomous nutrient monitoring.
The project is embedded in the broader political and strategic context of increasing regulatory pressure on fertilization practices, groundwater protection, and climate change mitigation. In particular, it addresses key challenges related to nitrate pollution and nutrient losses, which are central to European environmental policies and agricultural regulations. By enabling continuous, site-specific monitoring of soil nutrients, SOILMONITOR supports the transition toward precision agriculture and more sustainable land management.
The results of SOILMONITOR are currently being further developed within the innovate! follow-up project Kiel “Novel Sensor Concepts for Agriculture”, funded by the Joachim Herz Stiftung. This follow-up project focuses on advancing sensor technologies and facilitating their transfer into practical applications, including continued integration of user needs and stakeholder feedback (e.g. farmers, advisors, and institutions) to ensure applicability and acceptance.
The expected impact of the project is substantial, as it enables high-resolution, real-time monitoring of soil nutrients, potentially transforming fertilization management and reducing environmental impacts at scale. To further strengthen the pathway to impact, an application for the EXIST Forschungstransfer is currently being prepared, aiming at the establishment of a spin-off company for technology transfer and commercialization.
