Soil monitoring sensors

This solution was shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM
14 May 2021

Description of the innovative solution

Crop growth can be constrained by lack of water, low nutrient supply or other soil functions. The use of sensors to measure key aspects of the soil relevant for crop growth e.g. soil moisture, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, micronutrients, can optimise input application, leading to significant water, fertiliser, energy and labour savings. Sensors can vary in type and complexity. They can be simple probes that measure changes in soil properties related to soil moisture to more complex proximal or remote soil sensing technologies that can measure a range of soil properties. Data collected by...

Crop growth can be constrained by lack of water, low nutrient supply or other soil functions. The use of sensors to measure key aspects of the soil relevant for crop growth e.g. soil moisture, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, micronutrients, can optimise input application, leading to significant water, fertiliser, energy and labour savings. Sensors can vary in type and complexity. They can be simple probes that measure changes in soil properties related to soil moisture to more complex proximal or remote soil sensing technologies that can measure a range of soil properties. Data collected by sensors can be sent to the cloud where it can be accessed from any mobile or fixed device allowing remote monitoring of the soil.

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Seeds of Silicon: Internet of Things for Smallholder Agriculture
Scientific paper
Challenges and opportunities of sensor technology (access to components,
sensor calibration, device design, access to advice and expertise) for smallholder farmers
Shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM

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