E-SPFdigit

Emergent soil, plant and food onsite digital services on chemical and biological contaminants

E-SPFdigit will bring novel onsite digital tools already at TRL5 under systemic innovation, which will be further deployed, upscaled, field-tested and demonstrated to TRL7-8, in viticulture and horticulture applications in Greece and Spain in soil-contaminated areas (located near mines, offensive industries, highways, floodwaters). E-SPFdigit brings novel developed: i) MIP-based electrochemical sensors coupled with SPME for on-site monitoring and analysis of dedicated to PFAS targeted molecules, ii) Multiplex organic Surface Plasmon Resonance optical biosensors for onsite pesticides residues monitoring and analysis, iii) IDE-based electrochemical sensors for onsite detection and quantification of heavy metals & micronutrients, and iv) UVC LED -based nutrient analysers for soil water content in-situ and real time monitoring. 

The AI-driven onsite digital tools will be model calibrated using machine learning algorithms to improve error distribution of a predictive model, ensuring reliability. Also, E-SPFdigit brings an edge-based remote sensing framework via a robust autonomous mobile robot self-navigating and a heavy-duty unmanned aerial vehicle for in-field detection of soil parameters regarding the aforementioned chemical and biological stressors. Finally, to predict pesticide and fertiliser and other chemical contaminants impacts on crop-soil-microbiome nexus, the project will use on-field real-time digital ground sensors combined with Earth Observation data and causal machine learning. All the onsite digital tools will be interconnected with a Decision Support Systems with blockchain and cybersecurity mechanisms enabling informed decisions and automated decision making for IPM and INM, enhanced with automated decision making for immediate soil management practices.

Project ID

101157922

Funding period

1 October 2024 - 30 September 2027

Total budget

€5,652,477.50

EU contribution

€5,033,127.50

Funding programme

Horizon Europe

Call for proposals

HORIZON-MISS-2023-SOIL-01-03

Type of action

Innovation Actions

Project contribution to Mission Soil’s:

Specific objectives

  • 1. Reduce land degradation relating to desertification
    Not targeted
  • 2. Conserve and increase soil organic carbon stocks
    Not targeted
  • 3. No net soil sealing and increase the reuse of urban soils
    Not targeted
  • 4. Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration
    Targeted
  • 5. Prevent erosion
    Not targeted
  • 6. Improve soil structure to enhance habitat quality for soil biota and crops
    Not targeted
  • 7. Reduce the EU global footprint on soils
    Not targeted
  • 8. Increase soil literacy in society across Member States
    Not targeted

Operational objectives

  • 1. Build capacities and the knowledge base for soil stewardship
    Not targeted
  • 2. Co-create and upscale place-based innovations to improve soil health in all places
    Partially targeted
  • 3. Develop an integrated EU soil monitoring system and track progress towards soil health
    Targeted
  • 4. Engage with the soil user community and society at large
    Not targeted

Innovation hotspots

  • 1. Carbon farming
    Not targeted
  • 2. Soil pollution and restoration
    Targeted
  • 3. Soil biodiversity including the microbiome
    Not targeted
  • 4. Circular economy solutions
    Not targeted

Cross-cutting dimensions

  • 1. Business
    Not targeted
  • 2. Digital
    Targeted
  • 3. Territorial
    Not targeted
  • 4. International
    Not targeted

© European Union, 2024. Image sources: Adobe.Stock.com