Proficiency tests for soil analysis services via proximal sensing

Tiago R. Tavares; José A.M. Demattê; Abdul M. Mouazen; Eyal Ben-Dor; Adriano A. Anselmi; Victor Monseff de A. Campos; Budiman Minasny; Sérgio H.Godinho Silva; Sabine Chabrillat; Konstantinos Karyotis; Heitor Cantarella; Cristiano A. Andrade; Maurício R. Cherubin; Hudson W.P. de Carvalho; José Lavres

doi:10.1016/j.geoderma.2025.117434

Proficiency tests for soil analysis services via proximal sensing

Tiago R. Tavares^*, José A.M. Demattê, Abdul M. Mouazen, Eyal Ben-Dor, Adriano A. Anselmi, Victor Monseff de A. Campos, Budiman Minasny, Sérgio H.Godinho Silva, Sabine Chabrillat, Konstantinos Karyotis, Heitor Cantarella, Cristiano A. Andrade, Maurício R. Cherubin, Hudson W.P. de Carvalho, José Lavres

^*Corresponding author for this work

Soil Science Section

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › Research › peer review

Abstract

Soil Spectral Libraries (SSL) and spectroscopy-based methods using varied regions of the electromagnetic spectrum for direct soil analysis are rapidly gaining traction in agricultural and environmental applications. However, the absence of standardized tests, specifically designed for these new methods, prompts concerns about performance consistency and transparency in the marketplace. This discussion paper underscores the critical factors that influence predictive performance and stresses the need for proficiency tests tailored to sensor-based techniques. It also highlights the significance of error metrics for accurate interpretation. Establishing robust proficiency tests is crucial for ensuring reliable soil analysis services and promoting the adoption of best practices in this technology.

Original language	English
Article number	117434
Journal	GEODERMA
Volume	460
E-pub ahead of print	16 Jul 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2025.117434
Publication status	Published - Aug 2025

Keywords

Analytical chemistry
Hybrid laboratory, standard and protocol
Proximal soil sensing
Soil health
Soil security

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Soil Science

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10.1016/j.geoderma.2025.117434Licence: CC BY 4.0

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Tavares, T. R., Demattê, J. A. M., Mouazen, A. M., Ben-Dor, E., Anselmi, A. A., Campos, V. M. D. A., Minasny, B., Silva, S. H. G., Chabrillat, S., Karyotis, K., Cantarella, H., Andrade, C. A., Cherubin, M. R., de Carvalho, H. W. P., & Lavres, J. (2025). Proficiency tests for soil analysis services via proximal sensing. GEODERMA, 460, Article 117434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2025.117434

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title = "Proficiency tests for soil analysis services via proximal sensing",

abstract = "Soil Spectral Libraries (SSL) and spectroscopy-based methods using varied regions of the electromagnetic spectrum for direct soil analysis are rapidly gaining traction in agricultural and environmental applications. However, the absence of standardized tests, specifically designed for these new methods, prompts concerns about performance consistency and transparency in the marketplace. This discussion paper underscores the critical factors that influence predictive performance and stresses the need for proficiency tests tailored to sensor-based techniques. It also highlights the significance of error metrics for accurate interpretation. Establishing robust proficiency tests is crucial for ensuring reliable soil analysis services and promoting the adoption of best practices in this technology.",

keywords = "Analytical chemistry, Hybrid laboratory, standard and protocol, Proximal soil sensing, Soil health, Soil security",

author = "Tavares, {Tiago R.} and Dematt{\^e}, {Jos{\'e} A.M.} and Mouazen, {Abdul M.} and Eyal Ben-Dor and Anselmi, {Adriano A.} and Campos, {Victor Monseff de A.} and Budiman Minasny and Silva, {S{\'e}rgio H.Godinho} and Sabine Chabrillat and Konstantinos Karyotis and Heitor Cantarella and Andrade, {Cristiano A.} and Cherubin, {Maur{\'i}cio R.} and {de Carvalho}, {Hudson W.P.} and Jos{\'e} Lavres",

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year = "2025",

month = aug,

doi = "10.1016/j.geoderma.2025.117434",

language = "English",

volume = "460",

journal = "GEODERMA",

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AU - Tavares, Tiago R.

AU - Demattê, José A.M.

AU - Mouazen, Abdul M.

AU - Ben-Dor, Eyal

AU - Anselmi, Adriano A.

AU - Campos, Victor Monseff de A.

AU - Minasny, Budiman

AU - Silva, Sérgio H.Godinho

AU - Chabrillat, Sabine

AU - Karyotis, Konstantinos

AU - Cantarella, Heitor

AU - Andrade, Cristiano A.

AU - Cherubin, Maurício R.

AU - de Carvalho, Hudson W.P.

AU - Lavres, José

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N2 - Soil Spectral Libraries (SSL) and spectroscopy-based methods using varied regions of the electromagnetic spectrum for direct soil analysis are rapidly gaining traction in agricultural and environmental applications. However, the absence of standardized tests, specifically designed for these new methods, prompts concerns about performance consistency and transparency in the marketplace. This discussion paper underscores the critical factors that influence predictive performance and stresses the need for proficiency tests tailored to sensor-based techniques. It also highlights the significance of error metrics for accurate interpretation. Establishing robust proficiency tests is crucial for ensuring reliable soil analysis services and promoting the adoption of best practices in this technology.

AB - Soil Spectral Libraries (SSL) and spectroscopy-based methods using varied regions of the electromagnetic spectrum for direct soil analysis are rapidly gaining traction in agricultural and environmental applications. However, the absence of standardized tests, specifically designed for these new methods, prompts concerns about performance consistency and transparency in the marketplace. This discussion paper underscores the critical factors that influence predictive performance and stresses the need for proficiency tests tailored to sensor-based techniques. It also highlights the significance of error metrics for accurate interpretation. Establishing robust proficiency tests is crucial for ensuring reliable soil analysis services and promoting the adoption of best practices in this technology.

KW - Analytical chemistry

KW - Hybrid laboratory, standard and protocol

KW - Proximal soil sensing

KW - Soil health

KW - Soil security

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DO - 10.1016/j.geoderma.2025.117434

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SN - 0016-7061

VL - 460

JO - GEODERMA

JF - GEODERMA

M1 - 117434

ER -

Proficiency tests for soil analysis services via proximal sensing

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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