Overview
This article evaluates the performance of a low-cost, micro-electromechanical system-based near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer, NeoSpectra, for estimating soil organic carbon (OC) and total carbon (TC) in comparison with a more advanced spectrometer, AgriSpec™ (ASD). The study was conducted on soil samples from various profiles in New South Wales, Australia. The research shows that although the NeoSpectra, which has a limited spectral range (1,300–2,500 nm), is less accurate than the ASD, it still provides a comparable and cost-effective alternative for soil carbon estimation. This could be significant for enhancing soil spectral analysis, making it more accessible and practical for widespread agricultural use. The findings suggest that the NeoSpectra spectrometer offers a promising tool for efficient soil property measurement, especially when considering the cost and portability advantages it provides.
