Abstract: In order to develop a real-time analyzer for soil attributes, the needs for real-time measurement of soil attributes were analyzed and major soil attributes to be measured in soil testing and commonly-used testing methods were reviewed, including traditional chemical analysis, methods based on electro-optical dispersion and electrochemical sensors, and indirect measurement of soil electrical conductivity. Emphasis was given to the review of the basic principles, laboratory studies, prototype development, and field experiments of near-infrared spectroscopic. The described methods and prototype instruments and the proposed scientific problems to be solved in this paper will be useful and provide important guidance for research and development of real-time analyzers for soil attributes.