Field Spectroscopy in the Food Production Chain

This paper reviews the application of field spectroscopy in the food production chain, particularly how field spectroscopy aids research and production of agricultural crops , and helps to understand the process of converting these crops into food. The review discusses the nondestructive application of field spectroscopy such as ultraviolet, reflective , visible, near infrared and fluorescence techniques using conventional or laser light sources, to determine qualitative and quantitative properties of agricultural crops and produce. Field spectroscopy can provide data on soil constituents and moisture, crop maturity, crop vigor, crop health, variety, variety within crops , and protein and moisture content in a standing crop. It provides data on gas particulates in cold storage, and growth rooms (C0 2 and 02)