Among the numerous applications that can be developed starting from the use of geophysical methodologies, those related to the field of agricultural production are experiencing a phase of great interest and expansion. This growth is mainly due to the impact of climate change and the need to develop better management of land and water resources.

The branch of applied geophysics that uses geophysical methods to study the soil patterns and processes of interest for agronomic management is called agrogeophysics. The principal goal of this discipline is to investigate the effects of different environmental factors, such as soil water content, soil composition, and salinity, on crop yields. With a comprehensive understanding of how these factors impact crop growth and productivity, agrogeophysicists can provide valuable insights to farmers, enabling them to make informed decisions about their agricultural practices.

Agrogeophysics utilizes geophysical methods such as ground-penetrating radar, electrical imaging, and seismic technology, ranging from hand-held devices to drone and satellite-borne sensors. These methods provide minimally-invasive, multi-scale, and temporally-resolved information on processes in agroecosystems that traditional monitoring techniques cannot access. Such information is critical for developing sustainable agricultural practices.

To achieve the goal of improving agricultural ecosystems, it is crucial to gain a thorough understanding of the processes and interactions that govern the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Geophysical tools have the potential to non-invasively characterize and quantify these processes from the plot to landscape scale. These tools offer great potential to better understand the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum, which is fundamental to optimizing crop yields and, ultimately, advancing agricultural systems.

Benjamin Mary is a researcher who currently works at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences of CSIC in Spain. He has a background in Geophysics and he spent some years as a post-doctoral researcher at the Department of Geosciences of the University of Padua, supported by an MSCA fellowship.

In this video Benjamin Mary discusses his personal interest in the field of Geophysics and its potential applications in the agricultural industry. Specifically, he highlights the latest developments in geophysical tools utilized for agronomy.