Review—Perspectives on the Roles of Real time Nitrogen Sensing and IoT Integration in Smart Agriculture

Smart agriculture (SA) based on the framework of precision agriculture (PA) is a vital component of sustainable and efficient food production, with nitrogen (N) management playing a pivotal role. However, existing agricultural practices often suffer from low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), posing a challenge to SA. To tackle this issue, real-time N sensing technologies offer farmers precise and timely information about soil N levels, enabling precise N fertilizer application. Integrating these technologies with the Internet of Things (IoT) can further augment their capabilities, creating a seamless platform for data collection, analysis, and decision-making for great opportunities to improve NUE. Nevertheless, the adoption of real-time N sensing and IoT integration also presents several challenges, including selecting appropriate sensing technologies, effective data mining and management, and acquiring specialized knowledge and training. This review paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the opportunities and challenges associated with real-time N sensing technologies and IoT integration in smart farming. By showcasing best practices and innovative solutions, the paper aims to foster widespread adoption of SA practices, ultimately elevating the sustainability and productivity of agricultural systems.