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Lizzie Sagoo is a soil scientist with over 20 years of experience working at ADAS, a leading UK-based research and consultancy firm specializing in agriculture and the environment. Throughout her career, Lizzie has focused on soil quality, crop nutrition, and sustainable resource management, critical areas as the world grapples with challenges in food production and environmental stewardship.
Her work encompasses understanding the complex interplay between soil organic matter, nutrient cycling, and innovative farming practices. She brings a wealth of knowledge on how modern technology and data can empower farmers to manage their land more efficiently while protecting vital soil resources.
AgriERP: With your extensive experience, what do you see as the most pressing global challenges in soil health and nutrient management today?
Lizzie Sagoo: Globally, soil health is gaining attention, especially the damage caused by intensive agriculture over the last century. Soil isn’t just dirt, it’s a living ecosystem vital for food production, water filtration, and carbon storage. The three biggest challenges I’d highlight are:
- Loss of organic matter: Intensive cultivation breaks down soil organic matter, which is crucial for soil structure, water retention, and nutrient cycling.
- Soil erosion: Losing soil to wind or water erosion reduces fertility and resilience.
- Soil compaction: Heavy machinery can compact soil, squeezing out air and increasing erosion risk.
While these issues are global, regional differences exist. For example, the UK’s relatively gentle climate has masked some damage longer than in drier or more intensive areas like parts of the US, where events like the Dust Bowl highlighted erosion’s devastating effects decades ago.
AgriERP: How does climate change factor into these soil health challenges?
Lizzie Sagoo: Absolutely, climate change impacts soils in multiple ways. On one hand, soils contribute to climate change by releasing carbon through degradation. On the other hand, they offer a major opportunity to sequester carbon and mitigate climate change by building organic matter.
From a farming perspective, climate change is driving more extreme weather, droughts, and intense rainfall, both of which stress soils and crops. Healthy soils with good organic matter act like sponges, retaining moisture during dry spells and absorbing heavy rains to reduce flooding. So, maintaining soil resilience is crucial as climate variability increases.
AgriERP: You mentioned organic material recycling as a key part of sustainable soil management. What advances have you observed, and what barriers remain to wider adoption?
Lizzie Sagoo: Organic materials like livestock manure, compost, digestate, and biosolids are valuable resources, providing organic matter and essential nutrients. The shift has been from viewing these materials as “waste” to recognizing their nutrient and soil health value.
A big push recently came from fertilizer price spikes, which made farmers more aware of how manure can substitute for mineral fertilizers, particularly phosphorus and potassium. Farmers are increasingly managing manure like fertilizermeasuring nutrient content, applying it strategically, and adjusting their fertilizer inputs accordingly.
However, challenges remain. Nitrogen losses through ammonia volatilization and leaching require careful timing and application. Also, while progress has been made, many farmers still don’t reduce synthetic fertilizer use as much as they could when applying manure. Continued education and technology are key to overcoming these hurdles.
AgriERP: What tools or innovations have you seen help in analyzing soil and crop data? How can farmers turn complex data into actionable insights?
Lizzie Sagoo: There’s a growing range of technologies. One widely used method is Electrical Conductivity (EC) scanning, which maps soil texture variability and helps target soil sampling and management zones. This supports variable rate fertilizer applications, improving efficiency.
Other emerging tools include Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) for rapid soil analysis and in-field volatile sensors, though these need further development.
For crop monitoring, spectral sensors measuring vegetation indices like NDVI via satellites, drones, or handheld devices are increasingly common. These help assess crop biomass and nitrogen status, enabling variable rate nitrogen applications and even yield forecasting, critical for crops with narrow harvest windows.
Interpreting spatial data remains a challenge for many farmers. Often, consultants or service providers translate raw data into actionable fertilizer prescriptions or crop management plans, which farmers can then implement using precision equipment.
AgriERP: Any final advice for farmers and ag-tech enthusiasts looking to data and technology for better farm outcomes?
Lizzie Sagoo: It’s an exciting time in agriculture with rapid advancements in technology and understanding. My advice is to keep an open mind and be willing to try new approaches on your farm. Above all, remember that soil is the foundation of your farming system, protect and nurture it.
Good soil health builds resilience to weather extremes, improves nutrient use efficiency, and supports sustainable intensification. Combining traditional knowledge with modern data and technology will help farmers produce more sustainably and profitably.
Final Takeaway:
Lizzie’s deep expertise and passion for soil health underscore the critical role soil plays in sustainable agriculture’s future. As technology evolves, blending scientific insight with practical application will empower farmers to meet global food demands while protecting the environment.
