Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Field-scale mapping of soil available phosphorus in cropland via interpretable machine learning and multispectral remote sensing

Jinkai Qiu, Xinyi Xu, Liqiang Qi, Ye Seong Kang, Wei Zhang, Yanliang Zhang

Soil and Tillage Research · 2026

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Summary

This paper presents a machine learning framework for predicting field-scale soil available phosphorus using multispectral remote sensing, as an alternative to labour-intensive soil sampling. The authors emphasise interpretability of the models, likely to support agronomic decision-making. Such spatially explicit phosphorus mapping could facilitate more precise nutrient management in cropland systems.

UK applicability

The methodology would be directly applicable to UK arable farming, where phosphorus management and potential over-application are long-standing concerns. Remote sensing approaches could support precision farming practices aligned with UK environmental regulations on nutrient use.

Key measures

Soil available phosphorus concentration; multispectral reflectance data; machine learning model accuracy and interpretability metrics

Outcomes reported

The study developed and validated interpretable machine learning models to map soil available phosphorus across cropland fields using multispectral remote sensing data. The approach appears to enable spatial quantification of phosphorus availability at field scale, potentially informing targeted nutrient management.

Theme
Measurement & metrics
Subject
Soil fertility & nutrient management
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
System type
Arable cereals
DOI
10.1016/j.still.2026.107091
Catalogue ID
SNmohxvr5q-wkz5bf

Topic tags

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