Soil Sensors as a Service: Low-Cost Soil Diagnostics System using IoT

Abstract

Abstract: To ensure healthier crop yields in agriculture, proper management of the existing soil nutrients is crucial. The continuous cultivation of plants negatively impacts soil fertility, causing its decline. Farmers face the time-consuming task of visiting laboratories to test soil fertility. However, a novel optical transducer has been developed for detecting and measuring the presence of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) in the soil. This transducer plays a vital role in determining the appropriate amount of these nutrients to enhance soil fertility, thereby improving soil quality and reducing the unnecessary use of fertilizers. By analyzing the absorption of light for each nutrient, the N, P, and K values of soil samples can be determined. Technological advancements, particularly in the field of agriculture, have paved the way for progress. The proposed framework employs Internet of Things (IoT) technology to identify soil nutrients. Sensors are utilized to measure pH, temperature, moisture, and NPK levels. This data helps farmers assess soil fertility levels before sowing, enabling them to apply the required amount of fertilizers accurately. Consequently, this approach facilitates higher crop yields. IoT, an extensive domain focusing on gathering information through the internet anytime and anywhere, is instrumental in monitoring systems in the absence of human intervention. It employs sensors that prove beneficial even in agricultural applications, enabling farmers to experiment with soil and maintain its fertility