[Objective] Dynamic data of soil environment can be used as a scientific basis for decision-making in the field of sustainable agriculture and environmental management. Research and development (R&D) of soil monitoring equipment, low in cost, stable in performance and high in precision, is the key to rapid collection of soil data.[Method] Based on the incoPat, a technology innovation information platform, retrievals were made of output of patents on soil environmental monitoring equipment at home and abroad during 2000-2019, for analysis of number of applications, technology composition, regional distribution, major applicants, legal status, etc. of the patents, in an attempt to reveal R & D status, technology development trends and industry-university-research cooperations in the field of soil environmental monitoring equipment in China.[Result] Results indicate that in recent years, the number of patents has been increasing significantly in China. Soil indices being monitored have extended from soil fertility to pollutants and biological ones. Intelligent in-situ monitoring equipment is being developed in combination with emerging technologies such as modern information technology, and integration of qualitative and quantitative is fully considered in the new R&D. At present, most of the patent applicants in this aspect in China are universities and scientific research institutions, participation of enterprises is relatively lower in degree.[Conclusion] Monitoring of soil pollutants and biological indicators have become a focus, and novel technological achievements in the fields of biology and information science are being introduced into the development of soil monitoring equipment. In China, the industry-university-research cooperation in this field needs to be strengthened urgently.