The basic principle of spectroscopy involves using various wavelengths to represent different physical properties of the object. It also covers the interaction of electrons, protons, and ions in a compound. The fact that Spectroscopy is a non-destructive analysis makes it widely used as an analytical tool. In agriculture, the technique has been used for analysis and quality control hence offering an improved way of ensuring quality control. It is also used to investigate the chemical purity levels of the soil and analyze fertilizer properties to maximize harvest supplies. Here is a detailed discussion on the current application of spectroscopy in agriculture and food production:
Analyzing Fertilizer Properties
The quality of the soil directly impacts the overall rate of food production in a given location. Continuous production from the same piece of land can potentially deplete soil quality. Therefore, farm managers need to supply their soil with supplemental nutrients like fertilizers to optimize conditions for the continued growth of cops. Those supplements, however, must be monitored to ensure that farmers supply suitable nutrient contents to the soil. Thus this is when Spectroscopy application steps in during the analytical technique.
Determining The Nutrient Composition Of The Food
NIR spectroscopy is applied in food technology as an analytical technique to determine the number of nutrients in given food samples. For example, the technique can investigate protein and moisture levels in grains, protein, oil, and moisture levels of soybean. NIR has been the most reliable analytical technique for plant, animal, and soil analysis since its introduction into the agricultural industry. From https://www.agilent.com/en/product/molecular-spectroscopy, you will learn that NIR spectroscopy can rapidly produce results at a lower cost compared to traditional laboratory analytical tools.
Predict The Composition Grass Present In The Field
Another application of NIR spectroscopy is evident in the detection of grass mixtures in fields. Understanding grass mixtures within the fields can assist farmers in understanding the fiber and other nutritional content they are giving their cattle. Therefore NIR spectroscopy is an essential tool that farmers can use to predict the grass composition present in a given field at an affordable price rate.
Application In Post-Harvest Quality Control
Climacteric fruits may stay longer in the supply chain after harvest and before reading the final consumer. to maintain quality, the fruit spectroscopy technology targets various parameters, such as ripeness, internal damage, and external appearance, to save the products.
Determine Chemical Purity Levels Of The Soil
Before fertilizer application, it’s essential to evaluate both nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil.
Doing so ensures that both the nutrients are closely analyzed to ensure that healthy crops are produced in higher yields. Phosphorus and nitrogen are the primary macronutrients that are essential in promoting plant growth and sustainability.
Bottom-Line
The application of spectroscopy in agriculture is a replacement for old technology. Unlike the spectroscopy technique, conventional food analysis methods are time-consuming, complicated, but also destructive. By click agilent.com/en/product/molecular-spectroscopy, you can learn more about the agricultural application of Spectroscopy. Otherwise, the technique produces quicker results with little or no sample preparation needed. The good news is that spectroscopy is incorporated in small handheld tools to bring these sensitive and powerful techniques within reach of farmers and other food producers.
Read Here: Agricultural Micronutrients Report