DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates generally to agriculture. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a soil analysis system, an apparatus, and a method thereof.
BACKGROUND
Soil testing is performed for several purposes, one of the main reasons is to determine concentrations of soil nutrients and soil fertility. Typically, a number of soil samples are collected in a required amount from a site/location that are carried away to external labs. These samples are appropriately labelled and tracked so that the later obtained test results can accurately be designated to the location from which the soil samples were taken. This labelling and tracking of the samples are difficult for the users or farmers. Testing the soil sample in external laboratories is time consuming and requires big infrastructure with trained professionals. Additionally, properties of the soil sample change due to variations in the conditions during the transportation of the soil from one place to another.
With ongoing efforts, many automated soil collection devices have been developed that analyse soil one-the-go. However, the conventional soil analysing devices have large attachments and components that are required to be pulled through the field or soil that is to be tested. Moreover, arranging such attachments is often time consuming and extremely expensive. Further, arrangement of such complex attachments of device requires skill and technique making it difficult and laborious to obtain accurate results.
Conventional devices are huge with complex design, thereby increasing manufacture and maintenance cost of the apparatus. This may further restrict frequent testing of the soil to understand the nature of soil that is dynamic and is influenced by a variety of environmental and ecological factors.
Therefore, there exists a need for an efficient apparatus for testing and analysing soil properties that is capable of solving aforementioned problems of the conventional soil analysing systems/apparatuses.
SUMMARY
In view of the foregoing, a soil analysis apparatus is disclosed. The soil analysis apparatus includes a sample collection box, a reagent supplier unit, and a spectrophotometer. The spectrophotometer includes a plurality of tubes and processing circuitry. The sample collection box is adapted to hold a plurality of soil samples. The reagent supplier unit is coupled to the sample collection box. The reagent supplier unit is adapted to supply a first set of reagents to the sample collection box such that the first set of reagents are mixed with the plurality of soil samples and filtered through the plurality of soil samples. Upon filtration, a liquid extract is drawn from the sample collection box. The spectrophotometer is coupled to the sample collection box and the reagent supplier unit. The plurality of tubes is adapted to receive the liquid extract and a second set of reagents from the reagent supplier unit such that the second set of reagents mixes with the liquid extract to generate a solution. The processing circuitry is configured to determine, based on a color of the solution, (i) one or more soil parameters; and (ii) one or more recommendation tips.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the soil analysis apparatus further includes a report generation unit that is coupled to the spectrophotometer and configured to generate an analysis report based on the one or more soil parameters and the one or more recommendation tips. The report generation unit is further configured to transmit the analysis report to a user device.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the spectrophotometer further includes a plurality of stirrers that are disposed in the plurality of tubes and adapted to stir the solution to facilitate a reaction between the second set of reagents and the liquid extract.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the spectrophotometer further includes a plurality of sensors that are disposed on the plurality of tubes such that, to determine the one or more soil parameters, the plurality of sensors and the plurality of LEDs are configured to sense signals representing a colour of the solution upon reaction between the second set of reagents and the liquid extract.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the soil analysis apparatus further includes a plurality of pumps that are coupled to the plurality of tubes and adapted to feed a predefined quantity of the liquid extract in the plurality of tubes.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, a soil analysis system is disclosed. The soil analysis system includes a soil analysis apparatus. The soil analysis apparatus includes a sample collection box, a reagent supplier unit, and a spectrophotometer. The spectrophotometer includes a plurality of tubes and processing circuitry. The sample collection box is adapted to hold a plurality of soil samples. The reagent supplier unit is coupled to the sample collection box. The reagent supplier unit is adapted to supply a first set of reagents to the sample collection box such that the first set of reagents are mixed with the plurality of soil samples and filtered through the plurality of soil samples. Upon filtration, a liquid extract is drawn from the sample collection box. The spectrophotometer is coupled to the sample collection box and the reagent supplier unit. The plurality of tubes is adapted to receive the liquid extract and a second set of reagents from the reagent supplier unit such that the second set of reagents mixes with the liquid extract to generate a solution. The processing circuitry is configured to determine, based on a color of the solution, (i) one or more soil parameters; and (ii) one or more recommendation tips.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the soil analysis apparatus further comprising a report generation unit that is coupled to the spectrophotometer and configured to generate an analysis report based on the one or more soil parameters and the one or more recommendation tips.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the soil analysis system further includes a user device coupled to the report generation unit such that the report generation unit transmits the analysis report to the user device.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, a method for analysing soil is disclosed. The method includes a step of holding, by way of a sample collection box, a plurality of soil samples. The method further includes a step of supplying, by way of a reagent supplier unit that is coupled to the sample collection box, a first set of reagents to the sample collection box such that the first set of reagents is mixed with the plurality of soil samples and filtered through the plurality of soil samples. Upon filtration, a liquid extract is drawn from the sample collection box. The method further includes a step of receiving, by way of a plurality of tubes of a spectrophotometer, the liquid extract and a second set of reagents from the reagent supplier unit such that the second set of reagents are mixed with the liquid extract to generate a solution. The method further includes a step of determining, by way of processing circuitry of the spectrophotometer, (i) one or more soil parameters; and (ii) one or more recommendation tips, based on a color of the solution.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure becomes apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a soil analysis system, in accordance with an embodiment herein;
FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a soil analysis apparatus of the soil analysis system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment herein;
FIG. 3A illustrates a rear view of another soil analysis apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment herein;
FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of the soil analysis apparatus of FIG. 3A, in accordance with an embodiment herein;
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a first spectrophotometer of the soil analysis apparatus of FIG. 3A, in accordance with an embodiment herein; and
FIG. 5 illustrates a method for analysing the soil, in accordance with an embodiment herein.
To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a soil analysis system, an apparatus and a method thereof. The following description provides specific details of certain embodiments of the disclosure illustrated in the drawings to provide a thorough understanding of those embodiments. It should be recognized, however, that the present disclosure can be reflected in additional embodiments and the disclosure may be practiced without some of the details in the following description.
The various embodiments including the example embodiments are now described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the various embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and fully conveys the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the sizes of components may be exaggerated for clarity.
It is understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers that may be present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
The subject matter of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, is described specifically to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Rather, the inventor/inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different features or combinations of features similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other technologies. Generally, the various embodiments including the example embodiments relate to a soil analysis system, an apparatus, and a method thereof.
As mentioned, there remains a need for an efficient apparatus for soil analysis. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a soil analysis apparatus that is portable and is capable of analysing soil very quickly. Further, the soil analysis apparatus of the present disclosure provides suggestions to farmers by transmitting a soil analysis report to the farmers.
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a soil analysis system 100 (hereinafter referred to and designated as “the system 100”), in accordance with an embodiment herein. The system 100 may be adapted to analyse soil. Specifically, the system 100 may be adapted to analyse soil based on spectrophotometry by determining an absorption of light of a particular wavelength by soil sample.
The system 100 may include a power supply 102, a control unit 104, a soil analysis apparatus 106 (hereinafter referred to and designated as “the apparatus 106”), an indicator 108, and a user device 110. The control unit 104 may include a converter circuit 112, a processor 114, a relay control device 116, a communication device 118, and a storage device 120.
The power supply 102 may be adapted to supply power to one or more components of the system 100. Specifically, the power supply 102 may be adapted to supply electrical power to the control unit 104, the apparatus 106, and the indicator 108.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the power supply 102 may provide an input voltage to the control unit 104. The input voltage may be one of, a direct current (DC) voltage and an alternating current (AC) voltage.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the power supply 102 may be adapted to supply the electrical power corresponding to 24 Volt (V) DC and 12 V DC.
The control unit 104 may be coupled to the power supply 102. The control unit 104 may be adapted to receive the electrical power from the power supply 102. The control unit 104 may be adapted to control one or more operations that may be associated with the apparatus 106. The converter circuit 112 may be adapted to convert an input voltage from the power supply 102. Specifically, the converter circuit 112 may be configured to step down the input voltage from 12 V DC to 5 V DC and 3.3 V DC. The converter circuit 112 may be a DC-DC buck converter that may be configured to step down the input voltage from 12 V DC to 5 V DC and 3.3 V DC. The processor 114 may be configured to facilitate controlling of the one or more operations associated with the apparatus 106. Specifically, the processor 114 may facilitate switching of one or more pumps of the apparatus 106. The relay control device 116 may include a plurality of relays (hereinafter collectively referred to as “relays”). For example, the relay control device 116 may include 30 relays. The relays may be adapted to switch one or more pumps of the apparatus 106. The switching time may be controlled by an engine that may be configured in the processor 114. The communication device 118 may facilitate communication of the apparatus 106 with a server. Specifically, the communication device 118 may facilitate communication of the apparatus 106 with the server through a communication network. The communication device 118 may facilitate communication of the apparatus 106 with the server to communicate soil test data from the apparatus 106 to the server through the communication network. The storage device 120 may be adapted to store the soil test data. Specifically, the storage device 120 may be adapted to store the soil test data in an event of outage of the communication network. Upon establishing of the communication network, the soil test data may be automatically transmitted to the server.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the converter circuit 112 may be integrated with a protection device. The protection device may facilitate protection of the converter circuit 112 from a reverse polarity i.e., an accidental reverse voltage supply and an accidental over voltage supply. Thus, the protection device may advantageously protect the control unit 104 from accidental over voltage and accidental reverse voltage supply and thereby may advantageously ensure safety of an operator.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor 114 may be an arm cortex processor. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of processor, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each relay of the relays may be provided with a light emitting diode (LED) for visual indication of switching the one or more pumps by the relays.
The apparatus 106 may be coupled to the control unit 104. The apparatus 106 may be a portable apparatus that may be carried across various fields very easily. The apparatus 106 may be adapted to conduct rapid and on-site analysis of the soil. Specifically, the apparatus 106 may use photo spectrophotometer technology for analysing the soil. The apparatus 106 may be configured to, upon conducting soil analysis, provide insights about soil properties to farmers. The apparatus 106 may include a measurement board that may be configured to measure electrical conductivity (EC) and potential of hydrogen (pH) of soil. The measurement board may interface with the control unit 104 over industry standard protocols i.e., 12C bus. The measurement board may be electrically isolated such that readings of EC and pH of the soil are not influenced by the high frequency switching signal of an EC probe.
The indicator 108 may be disposed on the system 100. The indicator 108 may indicate the operator about one or more manual interventions that may be required in soil testing. The indicator 108 may include a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). For example, the indicator 108 may include 4 LEDs.
The user device 110 may be held by the farmers such that the farmers are aware of the one or more soil parameters. The user device 110 may facilitate the farmers to receive insights on the soil so that the farmers may take an appropriate decision, if necessary. The user device 110 may facilitate the farmers to receive latest updates about their respective soil.
In some embodiments, the user device 110 may be one of, a mobile, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, a laptop, a tablet, a computer, and the like. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of known and later developed user device.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the system 100 may include a user interface that may facilitate the farmers to provide one or more inputs and receive one or more outputs from the system 100. For example, the user interface may facilitate the farmers to provide one or more details of the soil. The user interface may provide one or more insights on the soil after the system 100 performs soil inspection. The user interface may be a screen, for example, a thin-film-transistor (TFT) screen.
FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a soil analysis apparatus 106 of the soil analysis system 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment herein. The apparatus 106 may include a sample collection box 202, a reagent supplier unit 204, a spectrophotometer 206, a report generation unit 208, and a plurality of pumps 210a-210n (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the pumps 210”). The spectrophotometer 206 may include a plurality of tubes 212a-212n (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the tubes 212”), a plurality of stirrers 214a-214n (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the stirrers 214”), a plurality of sensors 216a-216n (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the sensors 216”), a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 218a-218n (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the LEDs 218”), and processing circuitry 220.
The sample collection box 202 may be adapted to hold a plurality of soil samples 222a-222c (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the soil samples 222”). The sample collection box 202 may be a box that may be partitioned to hold the soil samples 222, separately.
In some embodiments, the sample collection box 202 may include a plurality of chambers (not shown). The plurality of chambers may be adapted to hold the soil samples 222.
The reagent supplier unit 204 may be coupled to the sample collection box 202. The reagent supplier unit 204 may be adapted to supply a first set of reagents. Specifically, the reagent supplier unit 204 may be adapted to supply the first set of reagents to the sample collection box 202. The first set of reagents, upon being supplied to the sample collection box 202, may be mixed and shaken with the soil samples 222 (Multiple). The first set of reagents may be filtered through the soil samples 122. The first set of reagents, upon filtration, may produce a liquid extract that may be drawn from the sample collection box 202.
In some embodiments, the first set of reagents may be four nutrient specific liquid extraction reagents. Specifically, the first set of reagents may include, but not limited to, solution – A (for phosphorus), solution – B (for potassium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper and boron), solution – C (for nitrogen and sulphur), and solution - D (for organic carbon).
The spectrophotometer 206 may be coupled to the sample collection box 202 and the reagent supplier unit 204. The tubes 212 may be adapted to receive the liquid extract from the sample collection box 202.
In some embodiments, the spectrophotometer 206 may be a dual photo spectrophotometer. The spectrophotometer 206 may work on a principle of absorption photometry to determine composition of one or more nutrients in the soil, for example, to determine key and micronutrients in the soil.
The pumps 210 may be coupled to the tubes 212. The pumps 210 may be adapted to feed a predefined quantity of the liquid extract in the tubes 212. In some examples, the predefined quantity of the liquid extract in the tubes 212 may include, but not limited to, 1 millilitre (ml), 3 ml, and 7 ml. In some examples, each pump of the pumps 210 may be a peristaltic pump, a rotary lobe pump, a rotary gear pump, a piston pump, a diaphragm pump, a screw pump, a gear pump, and a hydraulic pump. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any kind of known and later developed pumps. The pumps 210 may be electronically controlled that may facilitate controlled/precise feeding of the predefined quantity of the liquid extract in the tubes 212.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the pumps 210 may include 30 high precision peristaltic pumps to control flow of various chemical reagents, distilled water, and soil extract solution required for soil testing.
In some embodiments, material of each tube of the tubes 212 may be a glass. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any material for each tube of the tubes 212.
In some embodiments, the tubes 212 may be two tubes. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any number of tubes, for example, 3, 4, 5, 6, and so on.
The reagent supplier unit 204 may be further adapted to supply a second set of reagents. Specifically, the reagent supplier unit 204 may be adapted to supply a pre-defined quantity of the second set of reagents to the tubes 212. In some preferred embodiments, the pre-defined quantity of the second set of reagents may be 1 millimetre. The second set of reagents, upon being received in the tubes 212, may be adapted to mix with the liquid extract to generate a solution.
In some embodiments, the second set of reagents may be specifically formulated for analysing nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K), sulphur (S), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and boron (B).
The sensors 216 and the LEDs 218 may be disposed on the tubes 212. The LEDs 218 may be adapted to throw a light wave of a specified wavelength. Specifically, the LEDs 218 may be adapted to throw the light wave towards tube 212. The sensors 216 may be configured to sense signals representing a colour of the solution upon reaction between the second set of reagents and the liquid extract. Specifically, the signals may represent different RGB values. The term “RGB value” as used herein refers to relative intensity of red colour, green colour, and blue colour. In other words, the sensors 216 may be configured to detect a wavelength of the colour of the light that may be absorbed by the solution in the tubes 212.
In some embodiments, each sensor of the sensors 216 may be a 16-Bit precision colour sensor for detecting the wavelength of the colour of the light that may be absorbed by the solution in the tubes 212.
The processing circuitry 220 may be coupled to the sensors 216 and the LEDs 218. The processing circuitry 220 may be configured to process the signals. Specifically, the processing circuitry 220 may be configured to process the RGB values such that the RGB values are converted into test results to determine one or more soil parameters based on a colour of solution.
In some embodiments, the tubes 212 may advantageously provide simultaneous analysis of the soil samples 122 and thereby the apparatus 100 may reduce sample turnaround time.
In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 220 may include an artificial intelligence (AI) engine that may be configured to determine the one or more soil parameters.
In some embodiments, one or more soil parameters such as soil pH, salinity (electrical conductivity), organic carbon (OC), available nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), available potassium (K), available sulphur (S), available copper (Cu), available iron (Fe), available manganese (Mn), available zinc (Zn) and available boron (B).
In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 220 may be any or a combination of microprocessor, microcontroller, Arduino Uno, At mega 328, Raspberry Pi or other similar processing unit, and the like. In yet another embodiment, the processing circuitry 220 may include one or more processors coupled with a memory (not shown) such that the memory storing computer-readable instructions executable by the one or more processors.
In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 220 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on operational instructions stored in a memory. The computer-readable instructions or routines stored in the memory may be fetched and executed to create or share the data units over a network service. The memory may include any non-transitory storage device including, for example, volatile memory such as RAM, or non-volatile memory such as EPROM, flash memory, and the like.
In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 220 may be implemented as a combination of hardware and programming (for example, programmable instructions) to implement one or more functionalities of the processing circuitry 220. In examples described herein, such combinations of hardware and programming may be implemented in several different ways. For example, the processing circuitry 220 may be processor executable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and the hardware for the processing circuitry 220 may include a processing resource (for example, one or more processors), to execute such instructions. In the present examples, the machine-readable storage medium may store instructions that, when executed by the processing resource, implement the processing circuitry 220. In such examples, the processing circuitry 220 may include the machine-readable storage medium storing the instructions and the processing resource to execute the instructions, or the machine-readable storage medium may be separate but accessible to each of the processing circuitry 220 and the processing resource. In other examples, the processing circuitry 220 may be implemented by an electronic circuitry.
The report generation unit 208 may be coupled to the spectrophotometer 206. The report generation unit 208 may be configured to generate an analysis report based on the one or more soil parameters. The report generation unit 208 may further be coupled to the user device 110. The report generation unit 208 may be further configured to transmit the analysis report to the user device 110.
In some embodiments, the report generation unit 208 may be coupled to the user device 110 through a 4G network. In some embodiments, the report generation unit 208 may be configured to transmit the analysis report to a cloud infrastructure.
In some embodiments, the stirrers 214 may be disposed in the tubes 212. The stirrers 214 may be adapted to stir the solution to facilitate a reaction between the second set of reagents and the liquid extract. In some embodiments, the stirrers 214 may be adapted to stir the solution for a pre-decided period of time to facilitate the reaction between the second set of reagents and the liquid extract. In some preferred embodiments, the pre-decided period of time is 5 seconds. In some embodiments, each stirrer of the stirrers 214 may be a magnetic stirrer. The magnetic stirrer may employ a rotating magnetic field to facilitate quick spinning of a stir bar that may be immersed within the solution in the tubes 212. The magnetic stirrer may advantageously prevent leakage or spillage of the solution from the tubes 212.
In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may further include a light-emitting diode display (LED display). The LED display may be configured to guide a user for conducting the soil analysis. The LED display may be configured to show or display various steps that may be involved while conducting the soil analysis. The LED display may be a 6 inches flat screen. The LED display may further be adapted to allow the user to control the soil analysis process.
In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may be best suited for dry soil i.e., the apparatus 100 may be used to analyse the dry soil. Ideally, wet soil may be dried, while conducting the soil analysis. For example, the wet soil may be air-dried, while conducting the soil analysis.
FIG. 3A illustrates a rear view of the soil analysis apparatus 106, in accordance with an embodiment herein. FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of the soil analysis apparatus 106 of FIG. 3A, in accordance with an embodiment herein. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the apparatus 106 may include two spectrophotometers. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any number of spectrophotometers that may exhibit same or substantially similar functionality and structure to each other, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. The apparatus 106 may include a housing 302, a first manifold 304, a second manifold 306, a first spectrophotometer 308, and a second spectrophotometer 310.
The sample collection box 202 may further include a plurality of bottles 316a-316n (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the bottles 316”). The bottles 316 may be disposed within the housing 302. Each bottle of the bottles 316 may be adapted to hold the soil sample. For example, the first bottle 316a may be adapted to hold the first soil sample 222a, the second bottle 316b may be adapted to hold the second soil sample 222b, and the third bottle 316c may be adapted to hold the third soil sample 222c.
The reagent supplier unit 204 may be disposed within the housing. The reagent supplier unit 204 may be adapted to hold the first and second set of reagents.
The first and second manifolds 304, 306 are mounted on the cylindrical cuvette in the spectrophotometer unit 308, 310 respectively. The first and second manifolds 304, 306 may be mounted on the cylindrical cuvette in the first and second spectrophotometer 308 and 310 respectively. The first and second manifolds 304, 306 may further be adapted to receive the first and second set of reagents from the reagent supplier unit 204.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first and second manifolds 304, 306 may facilitate an aggregator feeding of the soil samples 222 and the first and second set of reagents.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first and second manifolds 304, 306 may be removably coupled to the first Specifically, the first manifold 304 may be removably coupled to the first spectrophotometer 308 through the connector and the second manifold 306 may be removably coupled to the second spectrophotometer through the connector. The removable coupling of the first and second manifolds 304, 306 may advantageously facilitate removal of the first and second manifolds 304, 306 for maintenance and servicing purposes. The removable coupling of the first and second manifolds 304, 306 may advantageously facilitate replacement of defective manifold with a new manifold.
The first and second spectrophotometers 308, 310 may be disposed beneath the first and second manifolds 304, 306. In other words, the first and second manifolds 304, 306 may be disposed above the first and second spectrophotometers 308, 310. Specifically, the first manifold 304 may be disposed above the first spectrophotometer 308 and the second manifold 306 may be disposed above the second spectrophotometer 310. The first and second manifolds 304, 306 may be adapted to supply the soil samples 222 and the first and second set of reagents to the first and second spectrophotometers 308, 310. Specifically, the first manifold 304 may be adapted to supply the soil samples 222 and the first and second set of reagents to the first spectrophotometer 308 and the second manifold 306 may be adapted to supply the soil samples 222 and the first and second set of reagents to the second spectrophotometer 310. The tilt or inclined arrangement of the first and second manifolds 304, 306 may provide a gravitational advantage such that the soil samples 222 and the first and second set of reagents exhibit a natural flow towards the first and second spectrophotometers 308, 310. The first and second spectrophotometers 308, 310 may work on a principle of absorption photometry to determine composition of one or more nutrients in the soil, for example, to determine key and micro nutrients in the soil. The first and second spectrophotometers 308, 310 may be designed to work in parallel that may advantageously reduce time for soil inspection/testing. Thus, the first and second spectrophotometers 308, 310 may therefore increase throughput of the apparatus 106 and the system 100.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first and second manifolds 304, 306 may be designed such that the first and second manifolds 304, 306 facilitates a laminar flow of the soil samples 222 and the first and second set of reagents. Specifically, the first and second manifolds 304, 306 may facilitate the laminar flow of the soil samples 222 and the first and second set of reagents from the sample collection box 202 and the reagent supplier unit 204 to the first and second spectrophotometers 308, 310.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the first spectrophotometer 308 of the soil analysis apparatus 106 of FIG. 3A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates only one spectrophotometer i.e., the first spectrophotometer 308, however, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that the second spectrophotometer 310 is same or substantially similar to the first spectrophotometer 308, as explained herein the present disclosure. The first spectrophotometer 308 may include a cuvette 402, an agitator 404, a background LED 406, a colour sensor 408. The cuvette 402 may include an upper outlet 410 and a lower outlet 412.
The cuvette 402 may be disposed beneath the first spectrophotometer 308. The cuvette 402 may be a cylindrical tube that may be adapted to hold the soil samples 222 and the first and second set of reagents. The cuvette 402 may facilitate the first spectrophotometer 308 to measure absorbance of a specific wavelength of light by the soil samples 222. Thus, the cuvette 402 may be adapted to facilitate the first spectrophotometer 308 to enable the soil inspection.
The upper outlet 410 may be disposed at an upper side of the cuvette 402. The upper outlet 410 may be adapted to prevent the cuvette 402 from an accidental overflow. The upper outlet 410 may further be adapted to limit possible damage to an electronics circuitry that may be attached to the agitator 404. The lower outlet 412 may be disposed at a lower side of the cuvette 402. The lower outlet 412 may be adapted to drain the cuvette 402. Specifically, the lower outlet 412 may be adapted to drain the cuvette 402 by way of a pump of the pumps 210. Further, the lower outlet 412 drains the cuvette 402 that may advantageously facilitate cleaning and maintenance of the cuvette 402. Thus, the lower outlet 412 may facilitate to improve soil testing by enabling better determining of the absorbance of the light from the soil samples 222.
The agitator 404 may be disposed within the cuvette 402 such that a portion of agitator 404 extends beyond or outside of the cuvette 402. The agitator 404 may be adapted to agitate mixture of the soil samples 222 and the first and second set of reagents such that an amount of absorbance of light by the mixture is properly determined.
The background LED 406 may be disposed on the agitator 404. The background LED may be adapted to produce a light that may have an R value, a G value, and a B value. The light produced by the background LED 406 may be passed through the cuvette 402. Specifically, the light produced by the background LED 406 may be passed through the mixture of the soil samples 222 and the first and second set of reagents to analyse micro and macro nutrients that may be present in the soil. Upon passing the light through the mixture of the soil samples 222 and the first and second set of reagents, a light of particular wavelength may be absorbed depending on the micro and macro nutrients.
The colour sensor 408 may be disposed above the cuvette 402. The colour sensor 408 may be adapted to detect a colour absorption. In other words, the colour sensor 408 may be adapted to detect the light of particular wavelength that may be absorbed by the mixture of the soil samples 222 and the first and second set of reagents. The resultant RGB value that may be associated with the light that may be passed through the mixture of the soil samples 222 and the first and set of reagents may be used to measure the micro and macro nutrients that may be present in the soil.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the colour sensor 402 may be a high precision 16-bit colour sensor. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of sensor, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 for analysing the soil, in accordance with an embodiment herein. The method 500 may include following steps for analysing the soil: -
At step 502, the apparatus 106, by way of the sample collection box 202, may be adapted to hold the soil samples 222. The sample collection box 202 may be a box that may be partitioned to hold the soil samples 222, separately.
At step 504, the apparatus 106, by way of the reagent supplier unit 204 that may be coupled to the sample collection box 202, may be adapted to supply the first set of reagents to the sample collection box 202. The first set of reagents may be mixed and shaken with the soil samples 222 and filtered through the soil samples 222. Upon filtration of the first set of reagents, the liquid extract may be drawn from the sample collection box 202.
At step 506, the apparatus 106, by way of the tubes 212 of the spectrophotometer 206, the liquid extract and the second set of reagents may be received. Specifically, the liquid extract may be received from the sample collection box 202 and the second set of reagents may be received from the reagent supplier unit 204. The second set of reagents may be mixed with the liquid extract to generate the solution.
In some embodiments, the pumps 210 may be adapted to feed a predefined quantity of the liquid extract in the tubes 212. In some examples, each pump of the pumps 210 may be a peristaltic pump, a rotary lobe pump, a rotary gear pump, a piston pump, a diaphragm pump, a screw pump, a gear pump, and a hydraulic pump. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any kind of known and later developed pumps. The pumps 210 may be electronically controlled that may facilitate controlled/precise feeding of the predefined quantity of the liquid extract in the tubes 212.
At step 508, the apparatus 106, by way of the processing circuitry 220 of the spectrophotometer 206, the one or more soil parameters may be determined. The processing circuitry 220 may be configured to determine the one or more soil parameters, based on a colour of the solution. To determine the one or more soil parameters, the LEDs 218 may be adapted to throw a light wave of a specified wavelength. Specifically, the LEDs 218 may be adapted to throw the light wave towards the tubes 212. The sensors 216 may be configured to sense signals representing the colour of the solution upon reaction between the second set of reagents and the liquid extract. Specifically, the signals may represent different RGB values. The term “RGB value” as used herein refers to relative intensity of red colour, green colour, and blue colour. In other words, the sensors 216 may be configured to detect the wavelength of the colour of the light that may be absorbed by the solution in the tubes 212. The processing circuitry 220 may be configured to process the RGB values such that the RGB values are converted into test results to determine the one or more soil parameters based on a colour of solution.
Thus, the apparatus 106 may provide following advantages that may be derived from the structural and functional aspects of the apparatus 106: -
- The apparatus 106 may automate (i) addition of the first and second set of reagents while conducting the soil analysis, (ii) the reaction between the liquid extract and the second set of reagents, and (iii) determination of the one or more soil parameters.
- The apparatus 106 may be lighter and compact and therefore, the apparatus 106 may be easily carried across various fields for the soil analysis.
- The apparatus 106 may reduce overall time taken for conducting the soil analysis, when compared to conventional apparatus. Specifically, the apparatus 106 may half the time taken for conducting the soil analysis when compared to conventional apparatus.
- The apparatus 106 may cut-down cost associated with the fertilizer by appropriately suggesting the type of the fertilizer to be used for the soil.
- The apparatus 106, by appropriately suggesting the type of the fertilizer, may increase crop yield, reduce cost of cultivation of the soil, and improve soil health.
- The apparatus 106 may promote sustainable agriculture and soil conservation.
The foregoing discussion of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description, for example, various features of the present disclosure are grouped together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or embodiments may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, or embodiments other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention the present disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive embodiments lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate aspect of the present disclosure.
Moreover, though the description of the present disclosure has included description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or embodiments and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the present disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments, configurations, or embodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter. ,CLAIMS:1. A soil analysis apparatus (106) comprising:
? a sample collection box (202) adapted to hold a plurality of soil samples (222a-222c);
? a reagent supplier unit (204) that is coupled to the sample collection box (202), and adapted to supply a first set of reagents to the sample collection box (202) such that the first set of reagents are mixed with the plurality of soil samples (222a-222c) and filtered through the plurality of soil samples (222a-222c), wherein, upon filtration, a liquid extract is drawn from the sample collection box (202);
? a spectrophotometer (206) coupled to the sample collection box (202) and the reagent supplier unit (204), the spectrophotometer (206) comprising:
- a plurality of tubes (212a-212n) adapted to receive the liquid extract and a second set of reagents from the reagent supplier unit (204) such that the second set of reagents mixes with the liquid extract to generate a solution; and
- processing circuitry (220) configured to determine, based on a color of the solution, (i) one or more soil parameters; and (ii) one or more recommendation tips.

2. The soil analysis apparatus (106) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a report generation unit (208) that is coupled to the spectrophotometer (206), and configured to generate an analysis report based on the one or more soil parameters and the one or more recommendation tips, wherein the report generation unit (208) is further configured to transmit the analysis report to a user device (110).

3. The soil analysis apparatus (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spectrophotometer (206) further comprising a plurality of stirrers (214a-214n) that are disposed in the plurality of tubes (212a-212n) and adapted to stir the solution to facilitate a reaction between the second set of reagents and the liquid extract.

4. The soil analysis apparatus (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spectrophotometer (206) further comprising a plurality of sensors (216a-216n) that are disposed on the plurality of tubes (212a-212n) such that, to determine the one or more soil parameters, the plurality of sensors (216a-216n) and the plurality of LEDs (218a-218n) are configured to sense signals representing a colour of the solution upon reaction between the second set of reagents and the liquid extract.

5. The soil analysis apparatus (106) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pumps (210a-210n) that are coupled to the plurality of tubes (212a-212n) and adapted to feed a predefined quantity of the liquid extract in the plurality of tubes (212a-212n).

6. A soil analysis system (100) comprising:
a soil analysis apparatus (106) comprising:
a sample collection box (202) adapted to hold a plurality of soil samples (222a-222c);
a reagent supplier unit (204) that is coupled to the sample collection box (202), and adapted to supply a first set of reagents to the sample collection box (202) such that the first set of reagents are mixed with the plurality of soil samples (222a-222c) and filtered through the plurality of soil samples (222a-222c), wherein, upon filtration, a liquid extract is drawn from the sample collection box (202);
a spectrophotometer (206) coupled to the sample collection box (202) and the reagent supplier unit (204), the spectrophotometer (206) comprising:
a plurality of tubes (212a-212n) adapted to receive the liquid extract and a second set of reagents from the reagent supplier unit (204) such that the second set of reagents mixes with the liquid extract to generate a solution; and
processing circuitry (220) configured to determine, based on a color of the solution, (i) one or more soil parameters; and (ii) one or more recommendation tips.

7. The soil analysis system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the soil analysis apparatus (106) further comprising a report generation unit (208) that is coupled to the spectrophotometer (206), and configured to generate an analysis report based on the one or more soil parameters and the one or more recommendation tips.

8. The soil analysis system (100) as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a user device (110) coupled to the report generation unit (208) such that the report generation unit (208) transmits the analysis report to the user device (110).

9. A method (500) for analysing soil comprising:
holding (502), by way of a sample collection box (202), a plurality of soil samples (222a-222c);
supplying (504), by way of a reagent supplier unit (204) that is coupled to the sample collection box (202), a first set of reagents to the sample collection box (202) such that the first set of reagents is mixed with the plurality of soil samples (222a-222c) and filtered through the plurality of soil samples (222a-222c), wherein upon filtration, a liquid extract is drawn from the sample collection box (202);
receiving (506), by way of a plurality of tubes (212a-212n) of a spectrophotometer (206), the liquid extract and a second set of reagents from the reagent supplier unit (204) such that the second set of reagents are mixed with the liquid extract to generate a solution; and
determining (508), by way of processing circuitry (220) of the spectrophotometer (206), (i) one or more soil parameters; and (ii) one or more recommendation tips, based on a color of the solution.