Research Article
Automatic Soil Testing Device for Agriculture
@INPROCEEDINGS{10.1007/978-3-031-43135-7_4, author={Vikranth Vakati and Mark Rosado and Nitin Bohra and Douglas E. Dow}, title={Automatic Soil Testing Device for Agriculture}, proceedings={Bio-inspired Information and Communications Technologies. 14th EAI International Conference, BICT 2023, Okinawa, Japan, April 11-12, 2023, Proceedings}, proceedings_a={BICT}, year={2023}, month={9}, keywords={soil moisture nitrogen phosphorus potassium NPK sensor agriculture stake internet of things IoT ESP-32 ESP-NOW farm monitor}, doi={10.1007/978-3-031-43135-7_4} }- Vikranth Vakati
Mark Rosado
Nitin Bohra
Douglas E. Dow
Year: 2023
Automatic Soil Testing Device for Agriculture
BICT
Springer
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-43135-7_4
Abstract
Farm produce is essential to feed growing world population, even as the area of land available for agriculture decreases. Farmers tend to over apply water and fertilizer to maximize crop yield, since knowledge of soil conditions is insufficient for a more targeted application. The over application of water needlessly uses a scarce resource, especially in drier climates. The over application of fertilizer wastes the fertilizer, increases greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and degrades downstream water as algae increases and oxygen decreases. The purpose of our project was to develop modules for soil testing and transmitting of data to the hub computer that would be accessible by the farmer. The sensors and transmitter were developed and tested to be mounted on a stake that would be implanted in the soil of the field, and results transmitted to a hub computer that would provide a dashboard of results and control for the farmer to use in making decisions. Prototype modules were developed for soil nutrients and pH. Modules were tested for monitoring moisture and wireless data transmission. Such a system would provide soil condition information that the farmer could use to more apply appropriate amounts of water and fertilizer, and not over apply.
