Applications of Polarization Spectroscopy in Agricultural Engineering: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Non-destructive testing (NDT) methods are increasingly applied in modern agriculture to enable the rapid, efficient, and non-invasive evaluation of crops and agricultural products. Among these, polarization spectroscopy analysis (PSA) combines polarization information with spectral data to provide detailed insights into plant and soil properties. This review summarizes the principles and key parameters of polarimetry and highlights PSA applications, including crop health monitoring, pest and disease detection, chlorophyll and nutrient estimation, seed quality assessment, and soil moisture and pollution evaluation. PSA demonstrates advantages over conventional spectroscopy by revealing structural information and maintaining robustness in complex environments. Its ability to support precision agriculture through the real-time monitoring and early detection of stress factors underscores its potential for smart agricultural systems. Future efforts should focus on data fusion, model optimization, equipment miniaturization, and enhanced adaptability to fully realize PSA’s role in intelligent agriculture.