David Weindorf, soil scientist and research agronomist
David Weindorf, PhD, is a soil scientist and research agronomist. Over his career, he’s helped develop tools for agronomists and farmers to analyze the soil in the field. One tool, in particular, is called a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. It gives rapid, accurate results about what elements are found in soil.
Cotton is a common crop in West Texas, where Weindorf’s team does some of their research. All plants need elements–like calcium, iron, and magnesium–for healthy growth. And farmers need to know what the levels of these important elements are before the growing season. This information helps them make decisions about adding fertilizer and organic matter.
Years ago, soil testing meant collecting soil samples and taking them to a lab for analysis. These lab tests take time. While the portable spectrometer doesn’t replace them, it can give quick and accurate information.
Many research studies have compared lab analysis to the spectrometer’s results and found the spectrometer to be accurate. It’s a lot like how a physician would order a rapid strep test if you had signs of strep throat. Faster information can lead to better treatment!
Weindorf’s research colleagues, and those with the USDA-NRCS, often go out into farm fields to drill soil cores. A long, thin tube is inserted into the soil and pulled out for analysis. When the core is pulled out, scientists can get a good look at soil for several feet down. This helps them understand important soil properties in the root zone. Using the field spectrometer, Weindorf’s 60-90 second scan can give farmers a very good idea of what soil fertility levels are like in their soil and even identify trouble spots that may need more specific testing. The scans can also give them information about soil texture, pH, salinity, and other soil properties.
By developing farming and soil science applications of portable sensors like the spectrometer, Weindorf’s research team helps agricultural producers get faster, more accurate information to optimize their growing decisions. It’s also useful in developing countries, where farmers often don’t have access to laboratory testing. In this way, Weindorf’s research helps soils sustain life.
Watch Weindorf in action, Then, read about how he uses the spectrometer to test for excessive calcium.
Weindorf is a fellow of the Soil Science Society of America and executive producer of the movie, Between Earth and Sky.
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