Worm robot maps soil quality

In order to gain insight into the soil quality, it may soon no longer be necessary to take complicated samples. Scientists in America have developed a so-called worm robot. Among other things, this maps the soil life.

The worm-like robot is 30 to 60 centimeters long and goes into the ground like a kind of drill. The front loosens the ground, while the rear makes twisting movements. This simulates how worms move through the soil.

Dismantle black box
The robot worm must be able to measure soil properties such as density, humidity and temperature. The robot worm can also detect micro-organisms and visualize root growth. This should provide insight into the interaction between plant and soil. Something that is often still seen as a black box.

Researchers expect to be able to predict things such as yield and stress tolerance with the data on the soil and soil life. At the same time, they hope to gain insight into how plants respond to the effects of climate change.

Tasting in maize field
The robot worm is tested in a corn field. One robot moves through an entire row of corn and stores the data. These are then read above ground. Because the soil is a bad conductor for radio waves, the data from the robot worm cannot be read directly.

Jeanette Pennings

Jeannet has her roots in the flower bulb sector and she grew up on an agricultural company in the northern part of North Holland. As a generalist she reports for Boerenbusiness across all sectors. She is also exploring the possibilities of sponsored advertising.

j.pennings@boerenbusiness. Nl

© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.