Modern agriculture requires data-driven decisions, but assessing soil biota – the foundation of soil health – has been difficult and time-consuming. The new LIFE Monitor™ technology makes the previously "invisible" measurable. The device uses ultra-fast imaging technology to capture organisms in soil extracts, and the system automatically identifies and analyzes nematodes. Due to their role in the soil food web, nematodes are one of the most important biological indicators for assessing soil condition and function.
Piret van der Sman, head of the METK laboratory, explains: "The cooperation project between the METK Saku laboratory and the technology company Antonie means that together we will bring innovative and unique cutting-edge technology to Estonian farmers, taking our soil assessment service to a whole new level." In the coming months, we will focus on a large-scale pilot project that will provide producers with clear evidence of which agrotechnical methods actually work on their soils."
The aim of the pilot project is to validate the method in Estonian conditions and create a practical and reliable basis for regular monitoring of the biological condition of soil. The project will last for six months and will offer a limited amount of analysis services on favorable terms.
The collaboration will focus on further training the AI model so that it can more accurately recognize and reliably identify nematodes found in Estonian farmland.
This is an important step towards more innovative and sustainable agriculture in Estonia, helping to better preserve and restore our valuable soil resources.
