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Soil Science Technology

Technology used by the Soil and Plant Science Division.

Historically, a field soil scientist’s primary tools were an auger, sharp shooter, shovel, rock bar, and a field sheet. Today, our scientists lead the way using 21st century technology like ground-penetrating radar, mid-infrared spectroscopy, and portable x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to dig deeper to analyze the soil beneath our feet. Read more about what each technology does, how it works, and how we use it. Then explore the associated stories about ways we have used the new technology in the field and laboratory.

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