The Biophysics of Precision Agriculture: Smart Sensors and Materials for Sustainable Farming: A Review

The rising global demand for food, coupled with the challenges of climate change, necessitates the adoption of advanced technologies to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. Precision agriculture, powered by innovative sensor technologies, is transforming farming by enabling real-time monitoring of crops, soil and environmental conditions. These sensors play a crucial role in optimizing resource utilization, improving yields and minimizing environmental impact. This paper explores key sensor technologies used in agriculture, including electrochemical sensors for plant health assessment, hyperspectral and multispectral sensors for crop analysis, infrared (IR) and LiDAR sensors for environmental mapping and soil moisture sensors for precision irrigation. Additionally, mechanical sensing technologies, temperature and humidity sensors (TMS) and biosensors, such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors, are examined for their role in disease detection, food safety and environmental monitoring. Despite advancements in agricultural sensors, no single manuscript comprehensively lists all materials used in their fabrication. This paper highlights the critical role of materials, such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, metal oxides, conductive polymers and biocompatible composites, in improving sensor sensitivity, durability and efficiency that can be adapted for long-term agricultural applications. Furthermore, this review provides valuable insights into the role of advanced materials in agricultural sensor development, emphasizing the need for flexible, durable and highly sensitive plant sensors. This comprehensive analysis aims to guide researchers in developing next- generation agricultural sensors that enhance real-time monitoring, improve efficiency and promote sustainable farming practices.