Published Paper Details:

Sustainable agriculture and soil health management are increasingly critical due to rising food demands and environmental challenges. Traditional soil testing methods often involve expensive laboratory equipment, skilled personnel, and long processing times, making them inaccessible for frequent on-site monitoring by rural farmers. To address these limitations, this study presents the design and fabrication of a paper-based microfluidic device (?PAD) for the rapid, low-cost detection of phosphorus in soil. The device utilizes capillary action to transport soil extracts through hydrophobic wax-printed channels to a reaction zone. Detection is based on the molybdenum blue colourimetric reaction, where orthophosphate ions react with reagents to form a blue complex, the intensity of which is proportional to the phosphorus concentration. Results are quantified via a smartphone application, providing an accessible readout for immediate field decision-making. This portable platform demonstrates significant advantages in time efficiency and affordability compared to conventional methods, supporting sustainable resource management in precision agriculture.