Author(s): Mrutyunjay Padhiary, Arwan Karu Kyndiah, Raushan Kumar and Debapam Saha

Abstract: The electrochemical methodology investigates the manner in which chemical and electrical effects interact with one another, focusing on the chemical processes that produce electrical energy as well as the chemical changes carried out by the movement of electricity. The determination of soil fertilizer levels is a significant use for this technology. Three distinct electrode materials were examined in this work: graphite, aluminum, and silver, at various concentrations and nutritional combinations. The open circuit method was used to experiment. Samples of soil were taken from the experimental site, an artificial paddy field constructed out of concrete. The samples were immersed in electrolytes, with electrodes serving as the anode and cathode. The recorded voltage was measured using a digital multimeter, and nutrient levels in soil samples were calibrated using a polynomial equation. We next determined the pH values for every fertilizer concentration using a digital pH meter. Four plots, one in the field and one for the control group without fertilizer, were used for the experiment. The amount of fertilizer progressively decreased over time. The voltage rose and then gradually decreased as fertilizer was applied. All three electrodes satisfactorily predicted the soil fertilizer content in the field. The pH values that were measured ranged from 4.5 (lowest) to 7.7 (highest). This work demonstrates that it is possible to identify macronutrients in soil using a handheld, user-friendly electrode-based instrument. Furthermore, the choice of electrode material had a significant impact on repeatability, stability, and corrosion resistance. Only silver electrodes performed satisfactorily in terms of repeatability and lack of clogging impact among the materials examined.

DOI: 10.33545/26174693.2024.v8.i4g.1011