The Agricultural Research Service, the University of Nebraska, and the ARS’s Partnership for Data Innovations have launched a new web-based application involving soil sampling.
The application, called the Soil Sample Panning Organizer Tool, or SSPOT, will facilitate digital soil mapping and optimize soil sampling. Effective soil management relies on understanding the various factors that drive soil productivity, including pH levels, nutrient variability, and organic soil carbon. Soil sampling has emerged as a valuable tool in advancing precision farming, particularly in today’s changing climate and the growing need to monitor the carbon footprint in agriculture.
Land managers and researchers rely on routine soil sampling to monitor soil variability and determine the best practices to increase production while maintaining sustainability. SSPOT is a user-friendly tool with integrated algorithms to help users determine the optimal placement of samples needed to comprehensively understand soil activity in various soil types over time. For more information, go to usda.gov.