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Advancing Agroecology with Subterra© Green and the PHENET Push-Down Root Imaging Probe

Innovations in Root and Soil Analysis for Sustainable Agriculture

As the global demand for sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems intensifies, the ability to gather precise data on soil health and root dynamics is becoming increasingly vital. To address this, the EU-funded PHENET project is driving advancements in agricultural technology, bringing together leading European research infrastructures to tackle challenges related to food security, climate resilience, biodiversity, and soil restoration. Among the groundbreaking tools emerging from this collaboration is S4’s Subterra Green Push-Down Root Imaging Probe, developed through a partnership between Vienna Scientific Instruments (VSI), BOKU Vienna, and S4 Mobile Laboratories.


Project Origins: A Key Collaboration

The origins of this project can be traced back to an initial collaboration between Chris Matney, CEO of S4 Mobile Laboratories, and Boris Renwald, a principal at VSI and a professor at BOKU. Their partnership began with discussions about shared interests in agricultural technology, which eventually led to S4’s participation in a large consortium proposal to the EU HORIZON program, resulting in the PHENET project. This groundbreaking initiative was funded, and one of S4's Subterra Green units is now deployed at BOKU in Vienna. As part of S4’s role in PHENET, the company is developing a cutting-edge soil imaging probe in collaboration with VSI and BOKU, further advancing root and soil analysis capabilities.


Why Root and Soil Analysis Matter

Root systems play a pivotal role in nutrient and water uptake, carbon sequestration, and overall plant health. However, traditional methods for root analysis—such as destructive root coring and washing—are labor-intensive and disruptive. This has led to an urgent need for non-invasive technologies that can quickly and accurately assess root structures while maintaining soil integrity.


The Subterra Green device, which integrates a push-down root imaging probe, is poised to fill this gap. This innovative tool provides real-time root phenotyping data in the field, offering an easy-to-use, practical alternative to traditional methods.


Key Features of the Subterra Green

The Subterra Green is more than just an imaging tool for root analysis; it’s a comprehensive soil spectrometry device designed to revolutionize soil and root data collection in agroecosystems. Some of its standout features include:


  • Compact and Portable: Designed for ease of use, the Subterra Green is lightweight and portable, allowing rapid deployment in the field by just one person, making it accessible to farmers and researchers alike.

  • No Scientific Training Needed: The device is user-friendly and does not require specialized scientific training, opening up its utility to a broader range of users in both research and agricultural management.

  • Low Cost: The Subterra Green eliminates the need for off-site soil sample analysis, significantly reducing costs associated with soil mapping and testing.

  • Real-Time Analysis: One of its most game-changing features is its ability to provide instantaneous results, offering immediate insights for precision agriculture and decision-making in the field.

  • Versatility: With its ability to measure soil organic carbon and bulk density to depths of 90 cm, the Subterra Green is a versatile tool. Future development will expand its functionality to include other key soil health and fertility indicators.


The Push-Down Root Imaging Probe: A Breakthrough in Root Phenotyping

As part of the PHENET project, the Push-Down Root Imaging Probe has been developed to revolutionize root phenotyping. This probe detects roots as it penetrates the soil, capturing critical data on root length density and depth profiles, while simultaneously measuring soil density. This innovation provides real-time root phenotyping data without the need for laborious and destructive root-coring processes.

By offering a portable, easy-to-use tool, the push-down root imaging probe is ideal for breeders and land managers looking to monitor root systems frequently or for one-off observations. Additionally, its data can be integrated into decision-making processes regarding crop management, resource use, and irrigation efficiency.


Seamless Integration of Root and Soil Data

What sets the Subterra Green apart is its ability to combine root and soil data into a single, integrated system. The collaboration between S4 Mobile Laboratories, VSI, and BOKU Vienna ensures that the root imaging probe works seamlessly with Subterra Green’s soil spectrometry capabilities. This integration enables users to capture a complete picture of both root dynamics and soil health, all in real time.


By combining these capabilities, the Subterra Green device will allow for precise monitoring of root depth distribution, soil organic carbon content, and bulk density, with further development underway to measure other soil fertility indicators. This provides invaluable information for optimizing crop management and identifying resilient crop species capable of thriving in various soil and climate conditions.


A Tool for the Future of Sustainable Agriculture

The Subterra Green and the Push-Down Root Imaging Probe represent a significant leap forward in the technologies available to support sustainable agriculture. By providing real-time, non-invasive analysis of both root systems and soil health, these tools offer crucial insights that can drive agroecological practices. Whether it’s improving carbon sequestration, enhancing water infiltration, or optimizing nutrient uptake, the ability to accurately assess soil and root dynamics is essential for building more resilient agroecosystems.


As the PHENET project progresses, and the integration of these tools continues, the potential for wide-scale adoption of this technology will only grow. By making root and soil data accessible and affordable, Subterra Green promises to transform the way farmers and researchers approach sustainable crop management.


For more information about PHENET, visit PHENET.


For more information about S4’s Subterra Green Push-Down Root Imaging Probe and Vienna Scientific, visit: PHENET - Push Down Root Imaging Sensor - Vienna Scientific (vienna-scientific.com)

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