Electromagnetic induction for non-destructive assessment of soil water content and porosity: A case study in Viet Nam

Abstract

This study evaluated the potential of the EM38-MK2 Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) device—applied for the first time in Viet Nam—to estimate soil water content (SWC) and porosity across three sites in Nghe An province, representing diverse terrains and soil conditions. Ridge regression models correlated EMI data with laboratory-analyzed soil properties. The results showed strong accuracy in predicting moisture content suitable for agricultural applications, whereas porosity predictions require further refinement. High-resolution maps generated at three different depths effectively captured spatial variations in soil properties, offering a faster, cost-effective alternative to traditional sampling. Future research recommendations include: integrating artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to improve soil property predictions; combining EMI with other geophysical techniques to provide complementary data and enhance prediction reliability; testing across diverse soil types nationwide; assessing the impact of environmental factors on EMI measurements and developing minimization strategies; creating user-friendly software and decision support systems for farmers and practitioners to interpret and utilize EMI data for informed management decisions.