Harnessing Satellite Imagery and Geospatial Analysis for Sustainable Nutrient Management in Agricultural Systems

The excessive use of fertilizers in agricultural practices poses significant challenges to environmental sustainability and food security. A substantial portion of applied fertilizers from farms , and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and urban activities, more specifically in wastewater treatment plants, are lost through runoff, leading to water pollution, ecosystem degradation, and economical loss. To address these critical issues, this research aims to develop an innovative approach utilizing satellite imagery and geospatial analysis to enable efficient and sustainable nutrient management in agricultural systems. The study leverages the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from satellite imagery to monitor crop growth on a daily basis and optimize fertilizer application. By regularly assessing the NDVI metrics, farmers can precisely determine the timing and location for fertilizer application, ensuring optimal nutrient uptake by crops and minimizing wastage. This approach allows for large-scale monitoring, offering a valuable tool to farmers for daily decision-making in fertilizer management. Furthermore, the research incorporates geospatial analysis and spatiotemporal modeling to monitor nutrient flow from farms and CAFOs to nearby water bodies. Utilizing and integrating data (different resolutions and types) from MODIS satellite imagery, Aster GDEM on elevation, USGS Stream Water, USDA Historical Crop, and Soil, a spatial model is developed to track and quantify nutrient runoff. By understanding the movement and accumulation of nutrients, effective mitigation strategies can be formulated to prevent pollution and minimize water contamination. The outcomes of this research contribute to the overarching goal of enhancing food production while minimizing the environmental footprint of agricultural practices. By implementing satellite-based monitoring and geospatial analysis techniques, we can empower farmers and stakeholders to make informed decisions about nutrient management. This approach not only helps reduce fertilizer usage and associated costs but also protects water quality, mitigates algae blooms, and preserves aquatic ecosystems.This provides a practical and scalable solution for addressing the fertilizer application problem, ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability, and meeting the increasing global food demand.