Soil Humidity Research Articles

Design of Hybrid Sprinkler: The IOT-Powered Robot for Watering Plants

Innovative methods for watering plants have been developed as a result of the growing demand for efficient and automated systems in agriculture. The design of a hybrid sprinkler, an IoT-powered robot created specifically for effective and precise plant irrigation, is presented in this study. The suggested system enables autonomous operation and intelligent control by fusing the benefits of conventional sprinklers with those of IoT technology. To continuously monitor the environmental conditions, the hybrid sprinkler integrates a variety of sensors, including soil moisture sensors, temperature sensors, and humidity sensors. A central control unit receives this real-time data and uses sophisticated algorithms to establish the best watering schedule for each plant depending on its individual needs. The hybrid sprinkler's design prioritizes sustainability and energy economy. The robot has a rechargeable battery system, and to increase battery life, it uses energy-saving features like sleep modes and sophisticated power management. In a variety of agricultural and horticultural applications, this system assures optimal watering practises, conserves resources, and fosters healthy plant growth by fusing IoT technology, cutting-edge sensors, precision spraying mechanisms, and remote control capabilities.

Identification of microbial diversity in buried ivory soil at the Sanxingdui site in Guanghan City, China, using high-throughput sequencing.

The Sanxingdui Site in Guanghan City, Sichuan Province, China, is one of the precious heritage sites of the ancient Chinese civilization. Archaeological work at Sanxingdui is of great significance in clarifying the origins and main contents of the ancient Shu culture and the Yangtze River civilization. Since the 1920s, archaeologists have conducted extensive excavations and research at the site, with particular attention given to the large number of ivory artifacts unearthed. However, the buried ivory is influenced by soil pH, temperature, humidity, and other physical and chemical factors, along with the potential impact of microbial activities that may lead to the corrosion and decomposition of ivory. By understanding the types and activities of microorganisms, appropriate measures can be taken to protect and preserve cultural relics. Multi-point sampling of soil samples around the ivory of the three sacrificial pits at the Sanxingdui site was carried out, and strict aseptic operation was carried out during the sampling process. Subsequently, the microbial community structure and diversity in the buried ivory soil of Sanxingdui site were identified and analyzed by Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology. 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer sequence analysis revealed significant differences in the soil microbial community structure among different sacrificial pits. The dominant bacterial phyla were the Proteobacteria, GAL15, Actinobacteriota, Bacteroidota, and Methylomirabilota. The dominant fungal phyla were Ascomycota, Mortierellomhcota, and Basidiomycota. Most dominant bacterial and fungal communities play an indispensable role in the ivory corrosion mechanism, promoting the decay and decomposition process through various means such as decomposing organic matter and producing acidic substances. It is particularly important to take a series of measures to control microbial activity to effectively protect ivory. Our preliminary study of the mechanism of action of microorganisms on ivory in a buried environment provides a scientific basis to prevent and protect against microbial degradation in ancient ivory unearthed in Sanxingdui. Following the research results, suitable antibacterial agents tailored to the preservation environment and microbial characteristics of ancient ivory can be prepared. Ensure that the selected antibacterial agents meet safety and effectiveness requirements to maximize protection against microbial degradation of ancient ivory.

Parameters as indicators of grounding rod corrosion in substation in port area

Grounding rods are an important component in electrical power to protect equipment from overvoltage and current disturbances. However, corrosion can cause a significant decrease in performance and reduce system efficiency. Therefore, the diagnosis of corrosion on grounding rods is important to ensure the reliability and continuity of substation operations. In this research, a corrosion structure diagnosis was done on the grounding rod in the Belawan Port area using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.3 software. The element method is used to model the electrochemical corrosion phenomena that occur in grounding rods. Corrosion-causing factor parameters such as soil resistance, pH, temperature, humidity, and salt content are measured and evaluated. The analysis results show that there is significant corrosion on the grounding rod, especially in areas exposed to sea water and corrosive environments. The potential distribution shows uneven potential along the grounding rod. Based on this research, additional maintenance and protection measures can be proposed to reduce the risk of corrosion and extend the life of grounding rod equipment. Based on the analysis results, the input parameters differentiate electrolyte reactions which further determine grounding rod.

Occurrence of Salmonella in the environment

Salmonella is one of the most common causes of foodborne diseases. Although it is an intestinal bacterium, it can function perfectly well in various environments outside the host’s organism. Salmonella infections in humans are transmitted mainly through food of animal or plant origin and pose a serious problem for public health and the economy. Salmonella is an etiological factor of diseases in farm and free-living animals, which are also the most common source of environmental contamination. Reptiles and amphibians represent an important and often underestimated reservoir of these bacteria. Even under unfavorable conditions, the pathogen can survive for years in feed or food processing facilities mainly because of its ability to form biofilm. Salmonella can colonize plants epiphytically and endophytically. After penetrating external tissues, it can be transferred through the internal transport system to various organs, including fruit and seeds. This process depends on the serovar of the bacteria and the species of the plant being infected. The ability of Salmonella to survive and proliferate in the soil depends on many interacting factors, such as soil type, humidity, pH, temperature, and indigenous flora. Enriching the soil with natural fertilizers increases the occurrence of the pathogen and significantly reduces its rate of decline. In the aquatic environment, as well, Salmonella can survive for months after direct contamination with human or animal faeces or indirect contamination with insufficiently treated sewage sludge or runoff from agricultural land. The main determinants of Salmonella survival are temperature, sunlight, and the presence of accompanying microflora. Contaminated water used in processing can also be an indirect cause of transmission of intestinal pathogens to food.

Physiological response of Phlox paniculata L. varieties to different growing conditions of Western Siberia

Physiological indicators of plants are essential characteristics of plant adaptation to adverse environmental factors. Phlox paniculata varieties (originated from North America) introduced into the southern taiga subzone of Western Siberia experience stress caused by numerous factors. The physiological response to different growing conditions of the southern taiga subzone of Western Siberia was analyzed for 3 varieties of Ph. paniculata. The study employed handheld optical instruments for vital analysis of plant physiological parameters: a compact LI-600P porometer (LI-COR) and a CI-710 leaf spectrometer (CID Bio-Science). Stomatal conductance of phlox leaves in partial shade studied with respect to different varieties was found to virtually remain unchanged. The studied varieties exhibit different degree of resistance to water deficiency. The variety ‘Stanislas’ was found to be resistant to insufficient soil humidity and light, it can be grown in both moderately shaded areas and arid conditions. The studied varieties showed high indices of anthocyanins and carotenoids under good light conditions and natural humidity, which indicates these conditions as the most stressful for Ph. paniculata due to a high degree of water and temperature stress. The greatest difference in the measured indices was found for the variety ‘Antarktida’, which indicates its susceptibility to water deficiency.

Variabilidade do regime hídrico durante a fenofase de florescimento de híbridos de milho de grãos brancos e amarelos e sua relação com a produtividade de grãos

ABSTRACT The impact of low water availability on maize yield depends on the severity of the water deficit and the phenological stage of the crop. The objective of this study was to evaluate the variability of the water regime during flowering in white (GB) and yellow (GA) maize hybrids and its effects on grain yield. The study was conducted under field conditions in a pelic vertisol soil in Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico. The drought condition of the crop was 75% of soil humidity with a soil water potential of -1.5 MPa. Hydraulic conductivity (Lp), water (Ψr) and osmotic (Ψs) potentials of the roots (during flowering phenophase), grain yield and water productivity were the evaluated variables. As results, significant variability of the water regime variables was obtained among the evaluated hybrids, resulting in variation of grain yield. The white-grain hybrids with the highest Lp were GB4 and GB5 and for yellow-grain GA2 and GA10, all exceeding 347.75 mg m-1 s-1 MPa-1. In some hybrids Ψr and Ψs, decreased to more than -1.85 and -2.80 MPa, respectively, showing positive responsiveness during flowering to the drought condition of the soil. There was positive and significant correlation between Lp x Yield, and highly significant negative correlation between Ψs x Yield. The highest yielding hybrids were GB4 (8000 kg ha-1) and GA2 (7800 kg ha-1). These hybrids will continue to be evaluated for other variables for validation and recommendation for drought conditions.

2017–2018年河南宝天曼天然栎林碳水通量观测数据集

Using the eddy covariance flux observation technique based on micrometeorology theory, we directly measured the functions and processes of the productivity, energy partitioning and water use of natural oak forest ecosystems at a transitional area between subtropical and warm temperate zones, which can provide an important data basis for studying the mechanism of carbon and water cycle in forest ecosystems. This study focused on a natural oak forest located at the Baotianman Ecological Research Station. We employed a combination of the eddy covariance system and an environmental gradient system for long-term and continuous observations, and we further organized, quality-controlled, and analyzed the monitoring data collected from January 2017 to December 2018. The dataset includes various data variables, such as air temperature and humidity, soil temperature and humidity, wind speed, wind direction, photosynthetically active radiation, upward/downward shortwave radiation, upward/downward longwave radiation, net radiation, sensible heat flux, latent heat flux and carbon flux. The dataset is composed of the observation data on half-hourly, daily monthly, and yearly scales. It is expected to provide a database for studying the response and adaption mechanisms of typical forest ecosystems to climate change in transitional areas between subtropical and warm temperate zones.

Renewable whey-based hydrogel with polysaccharides and polyvinyl alcohol as a soil amendment for sustainable agricultural application

This work describes the preparation of a novel biopolymer hydrogel based on acid whey, cellulose derivatives and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The hydrogel was prepared and characterized with the aim of producing an environmentally-friendly soil amendment to increase water retention capacity of the soil. The findings showed considerable swelling properties of the hydrogels depending on the PVA content and crosslinking density. The samples with PVA in a concentration 2.5 % and 5 % were more rigid, the gel fraction increased with a subsequently decrease in their swelling capacity. The hydrogels crosslinked with 15 % of citric acid demonstrated a constant swelling ratio (SR) of around 500 % within 10 swelling/drying cycles. The hydrogels crosslinked with 10 % citric acid and supplemented with 1 % of PVA showed SR of 1000–1400 % caused by less crosslinked polymer network and increased pore volume for water uptake. It was found that hydrogel with a higher gel fraction had a stable structure. Supplementing PVA at 5 % extended the period of decomposition of the hydrogel material by almost 60 % in the soil environment and soil humidity was maintained for longer. Applying 2 % of the hydrogel 5PVA to soil increased the water retention capacity by 19 %.

AURORA: An Intelligent Plant Monitoring System for Greenhouse Deployment

This article presents a low-cost plant monitoring technology to assist in plants irrigation according to physiological demands. The project was conceived as a smart greenhouse capable of reporting on soil humidity, light and ambient temperature and presents principles of data-based agriculture. The methodology was based on engineering methods combined with design notions to adapt the technology to specific target audiences in a future stage of the project. Designed for small properties, the low-cost technological solution is an open technology that seeks to solve small farmers' pain regarding wasted resources in the field. The results are from isolated stages of the project, and point to correct data collection, processing using a microcontroller and sending the data for visualization on a dashboard. Future possibilities include a mathematical model based on the application of a differential equation to optimize the system, as well as building an application and carrying out integrative tests with tablets and other devices in a real production context.

The Influence of External Parameters on the Ripeness of Pumpkins.

Growing pumpkins in controlled environments, such as greenhouses, has become increasingly important due to the potential to optimise yield and quality. However, achieving optimal environmental conditions for pumpkin cultivation requires precise monitoring and control, which can be facilitated by modern sensor technologies. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal placement of sensors to determine the influence of external parameters on the maturity of pumpkins. The greenhouse used in the study consisted of a plastic film for growing pumpkins. Five different sensors labeled from A1 to A5 measured the air temperature, humidity, soil temperature, soil humidity, and illumination at five different locations. We used two methods, error-based sensor placement and entropy-based sensor placement, to evaluate optimisation. We selected A3 sensor locations where the monitored data were close to the reference value, i.e., the average data of all measurement locations and parameters. Using this method, we selected sensor positions to monitor the influence of external parameters on the maturity of pumpkins. These methods enable the determination of optimal sensor locations to represent the entire facility environment and detect areas with significant environmental disparities. Our study provides an accurate measurement of the internal environment of a greenhouse and properly selects the base installation locations of sensors in the pumpkin greenhouse.

Antioxidant Response, Phenolic Compounds and Yield of Solanum tuberosum Tubers Inoculated with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Growing under Water Stress.

Solanum tuberosum (potato) is one of the most common crops worldwide; however, it is sensitive to water stress, which necessitates the identification of alternative tools to improve their production. Here, we evaluated the inoculation of two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) strains, Claroideoglomus claroideum (CC), Claroideoglomus lamellosum (HMC26), and the MIX (CC + HMC26) in yield and phenolic and antioxidant response using chromatographic and spectroscopic methods in potato crops, at increasing levels of water stress, namely, with 100% (0), 70% (S1), and 40% (S2) soil humidity. Two caffeoylquinic acid isomers were detected and their levels showed a tendency to increase under stress together with the AMF inoculation, reaching up to 19.2 mg kg-1 of 5-caffeoylquinic acid and 7.4 mg kg-1 of caffeoylquinic acid isomer when CC was inoculated, and potato plants grew at the highest water starvation condition (S2). Regarding antioxidant activities, a differentiated response was detected depending on the AMF strain, highlighting the effect of HMC26 on Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) method and CC in cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) method, reaching up to 1.5 μmol g-1 of TEAC in plants inoculated with HMC26 and 0.9 μmol g-1 of CUPRAC in plants inoculated with CC, both in potato tubers of plants growing under the S2 stress condition. Meanwhile, the use of AMF did not influence the number and biomass of the tubers, but significant changes in the biochemical properties of tubers were observed. The results suggest that specific AMF adaptations to water stress must be considered when inoculation procedures are planned to improve the yield and quality of tubers in potato crops.

New Methods for Establishing Time of Death when Dealing with Natural Mummification from Bog Environments

Natural mummies are human and animal remains that have been naturally preserved over time. In most cases, these mummies are formed through a combination of environmental factors such as the soil's chemical makeup, temperature, and humidity. One of the most well-known, yet uncommon, examples of natural mummies are those found in bogs, wetland environments characterized by low oxygen levels and acidic water. Mummies discovered in these bog environments will be the focus of this paper. It will discuss the challenges associated with establishing the time of death for natural mummies. Various factors influence the mummification process including the acidity of the water, temperature, and the presence of microorganisms. As a result, traditional methods of estimating the time of death, or post-mortem interval (PMI), may not be reliable. This paper will also review recent advances in the field, including but not limited to stable isotope analysis, DNA sequencing, and proteomics. This will allow researchers to understand the taphonomic processes at play and improve the accuracy of time of death estimations. Overall, this paper provides practical insights into the complex processes involved in determining the time of death in natural mummies and offers information about new technologies useful for researchers in this field.

Rove beetle communities (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) in the rock dumps after coal mining

Rock dumps formed as a result of coal mining are unique model for studying the rove beetle communities. In total 60 species, 38 genera, 7 subfamilies of rove beetles were registered using soil traps. The greatest diversity of rove beetles was noted in forb-grass meadows (H` = 2.89) and pine plantations (H` = 2.39). The diversity of rove beetles was low (H` = 1.11) in birch and aspen-fir forests despite the greater number of revealed species. Only two eurytopic and mesophilic species (Drusilla canaliculata and Xantholinus linearis) were dominant in the rock dumps. Most of the rove beetles were eurytopic or forest species, zoophagous or mixophagous, mesophilous or hygrophilous. The number of eurytopic species and obligate predators increased, and the dynamic density of beetles decreased from older to younger dumps. The number of rove beetles depended on the soil temperature and humidity and the vegetation cover. Rove beetle communities are good indicators for monitoring the restoration of areas that have been technically degraded.

Time will tell: Taxonomic and functional diversity of monilophyte ferns in native forests and abandoned silviculture systems

AbstractDifferent forest systems can influence the function, traits, diversity, and distribution of ferns. By comparing ferns based on their functional traits, we can explore how species loss affects functional diversity, and consequently alter the forest ecosystem. We investigated the impact of abandoned silviculture on fern diversity (taxonomic and functional) and abundance. Our hypothesis suggests a positive effect of nutrients and soil humidity in native forests, while canopy openness in silviculture has a negative effect on monilophyte diversity. This study was conducted in three sites of native forest and three sites of Pinus silviculture. Each site was subdivided into three areas, with three plots per area, resulting in 54 plots (3 sites × 3 areas × 3 plots × 2 forest types). Each plot covered an area of 100 m2 (10 m × 10 m; 5400 m2 in total). In each plot, we estimated abundance, functional attributes (richness, evenness, divergence, and dispersion) based on leaf thickness, leaf width, petiole length, stem length, leaf division, sori shape, indusium presence, and taxonomic diversity. Results indicate that native forest exhibit higher taxonomic and functional diversity (richness—Fric) compared to abandoned Pinus plantations, which may be attributed to high habitat diversity and species specialization in specific microhabitats. In silviculture, diversity homogenization leads to an increase in the redundancy of functional attributes (evenness—Feve), resulting in the filtering out of similar organisms. Abiotic factors such as light and canopy openness negatively influence plant establishment and growth, leading to a decrease in leaf division and indusium presence/absence (by CWMs), supporting niche complementarity theory in natural forest and mass ratio theory in silviculture. Our findings highlight the enduring negative impact of silviculture, even after 20 years, on both the taxonomic and functional diversity of monilophytes, underscoring the crucial role of native forests in preserving fern diversity.

Effect of some Environmental Factors on the Distribution and Spread of Artemisia scoparia Waldst. et Kit. in Basrah Governorate

This study was conducted during the period from October 2021 to November 2022, and four stations were selected: Hammar Musharraf, Al-Tuba, Artawi and Safwan, which are located in the southern desert of Basra Governorate, during which the distribution of the Artemisia scoparia plant was determined and the physical and chemical properties affecting it were studied. Heavy elements were also measured for the summer seasons. And winter for the two stations of Safwan and Hammar Musharraf. The highest air temperature was recorded at 49 C in July in Safwan station, and the lowest was 10 C in January for most of the study stations. As for the soil temperature, the highest was 46.2 C in the month of August in Al-Tuba station, and the lowest was 12 C in January in Safwan. As for air and soil humidity, the highest percentage was 62% and 10.2% in January at Hammar Musharraf station, and the lowest was 0.1% in June and September at Safwan and Artawi stations, respectively. The highest value of pH was recorded for the soil of the studied stations, which was 8.58 in Al-Tuba station in July, and the lowest was 6.01 in December in Hammar Musharraf. The highest soil salinity was 8.81 mg/L in Safwan in July, and the lowest was 0.01 mg/L in Hammar Musharraf and Al-Tuba in November and December, respectively. As for the organic matter, it was the highest of 0.13 gm in Hammar Musharraf in January, and the lowest was 0.01 gm in Artawi and Al-Tuba for most months of the year. As for the heavy elements, the highest presence in the soil of the aluminum element was recorded in Safwan, which amounted to 264.105 ppm in the summer, followed by the iron element of the same station in the summer as well, as its concentration reached 228.761 ppm, while the lowest concentration was in a donkey honorable in the winter of arsenic. It reached 0.005 ppm, and the highest concentration was in the summer of Safwan station, with a concentration of 57.4463 ppm, while the lowest concentration was in winter, with a concentration of 33.9196 ppm in Safwan. As for the concentrations of heavy elements in plants, the highest and lowest concentrations of zinc were recorded in Safwan in the summer and winter seasons, which amounted to 14.7 and 0.002 ppm, respectively. Winter season, with a concentration of 1.3902.

Micro-ridge-furrow soil moisture regulation technology improves seedling quality and yield of winter rapeseed

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is an important oil crop worldwide, and the Yangtze River Basin (YRB) region is one of the most vital rapeseeds producing areas in China. However, the uneven distribution of annual precipitation during the rapeseed seedling stage in this region often leads to droughts and waterlogging, resulting in declined rapeseed seedling quality and yield. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of micro-ridge-furrow planting (MR) and conventional flat cropping planting (FC) under straw returning on rapeseed seedling growth and yield during two growing seasons: wet year (WY) and dry year (DY). In MR planting, rapeseed was sown either on the ridge surface (RS) or in the ridge furrow (RF). We found that MR planting had stronger regulation of soil temperature and humidity compared to FC. The average soil volume water content in RS was 19.2 % lower than FC, while in RF, it was 9.0 % higher than FC. Under MR planting, the daily temperature fluctuations in RF were smaller than in FC, whereas in RS, they were larger than in FC. Through the adjustment of temperature and humidity, MR increased the activities of β-glucosidase (β-Glu) and cellulose disaccharide hydrolase (CBH) in the soil, thereby accelerating rice straw decomposition. Importantly, MR led to improved root growth, seedling quality, precipitation water use efficiency (WUEP), and yield of rapeseed during both the WY and DY seasons. Notably, root morphological traits were significantly altered under straw returning (RT) in MR, particularly with an 11.0 % increase in root surface area, which showed a significant correlation with the indoleacetic acid and jasmonic acid contents in the root system. Furthermore, RT increased antioxidant enzymes activity in rapeseed roots. The H2O2 and ∙OH contents in MR were lower than in FC, indicating that the roots of MR were capable of self-protection and reducing the accumulation of superoxide radicals and peroxides by adapting actively to the soil water environment under straw returning. The yield and WUEP of MR were higher by 11.9 % and 21.0 %, respectively, compared to FC. In conclusion, MR planting has the potential to enhance seedling quality and increase rapeseed yield when combined with rice straw returning. This finding provides technical support for realizing the full and strong seedling establishment and improving the cultivation of direct-seeded rapeseed in the YRB region.

Development of a solar-powered system for soil monitoring with an automated irrigation feature

This study focuses on the development of a solar-powered system with an automated irrigation feature for soil monitoring. The project aims to design and develop a solar-powered system with at least 2 days of autonomy that integrates soil monitoring, irrigation, and solar management functions using a microcontroller-based platform. The system comprises essential components such as a humidity sensor for measuring atmospheric water content and a soil moisture sensor for evaluating soil moisture levels. These sensors are meticulously calibrated to ensure accurate assessment of soil conditions. To maintain uninterrupted timekeeping, a real-time clock is implemented, even during power outages. The system utilizes an Arduino microcontroller as the central hub for implementing a programmed algorithm. During specific time intervals (6:00 am - 6:30 am, 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm, and 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm), the system actively monitors soil moisture and humidity levels. When either of these levels drops below a predefined threshold, the algorithm triggers a relay module to establish a connection between the microcontroller and water pumps. Controlled by the microcontroller, the water pumps deliver water to the plants until the desired moisture level is reached, after which they automatically turn off. By combining solar power, soil monitoring, and automated irrigation, this technology represents a significant advancement in promoting efficient and eco-friendly farming practices. Its primary objectives include optimizing crop yield, conserving water resources, addressing challenges associated with conventional methods, and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Alert scenarios for the Metropolitan Region of Recife-PE based on monitoring of rainfall and soil humidity – a case study

Alert scenarios for the Metropolitan Region of Recife-PE based on monitoring of rainfall and soil humidity – a case study

Performance and Degradation of Nonwoven Mulches Made of Natural Fibres and PLA Polymer-Open Field Study.

The need for sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic mulches in agriculture has led to the development of various types of biodegradable mulches made from natural fibres and biopolymers to reduce environmental pollution and mitigate soil pollution caused by conventional plastic mulch usage. Degradation, impact on soil temperature and humidity, and weed suppression properties of needle-punched nonwoven mulches of different mass per unit area, made of jute, hemp, viscose, and PLA biopolymer, are investigated. Their biodegradation is determined by changes in the mulch properties (mass per unit area, thickness, air permeability, tensile properties, microscopic images, and FTIR analyses) during 300 days of exposure to the environmental conditions in the period from May 2022 to February 2023. The change in mass per unit area, thickness, air permeability, and tensile properties of nonwoven mulches did not show a tendency to degrade during exposure to environmental conditions. The microscopic and FTIR analysis showed the degradation of the fibres from the mulches during the exposure time to a certain extent. The environmental conditions influence the change in the dimensions of the mulches (shrinkage and expansion)-which impact periodically tested mass results per unit area-as well as their thickness and air permeability. The nonwoven mulches provide higher temperatures compared to bare soil, though not as high as those observed beneath traditional agricultural foil. When comparing the humidity in bare soil and soil covered by mulches during the plant growth period (June to October), it was found that soil humidity was higher beneath all mulches. The nonwoven mulches provide superior soil moisture retention compared to conventionally used agrofoil. Almost all nonwoven mulches effectively suppressed weed growth, except hemp mulches. The newly produced mulches have the potential to replace traditional agrofoil, offering improved conditions for plant growth, effective weed control, and faster degradation without causing harm to the environment.

Tiny machine learning on the edge: A framework for transfer learning empowered unmanned aerial vehicle assisted smart farming

AbstractEmerging technologies are continually redefining the paradigms of smart farming and opening up avenues for more precise and informed farming practices. A tiny machine learning (TinyML)‐based framework is proposed for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)‐assisted smart farming applications. The practical deployment of such a framework on the UAV and bespoke internet of things (IoT) sensors which measure soil moisture and ambient environmental conditions is demonstrated. The key objective of this framework is to harness TinyML for implementing transfer learning (TL) using deep neural networks (DNNs) and long short‐term memory (LSTM) ML models. As a case study, this framework is employed to predict soil moisture content for smart agriculture applications, guiding optimal water utilisation for crops through time‐series forecasting models. To the best of authors’ knowledge, a framework which leverages UAV‐assisted TL for the edge internet of things using TinyML has not been investigated previously. The TL‐based framework employs a pre‐trained data model on different but similar applications and data domains. Not only do the authors demonstrate the practical deployment of the proposed framework but they also quantify its performance through real‐world deployment. This is accomplished by designing a custom sensor board for soil and environmental sensing which uses an ESP32 microcontroller unit. The inference metrics (i.e. inference time and accuracy) are measured for different ML model architectures on edge devices as well as other performance metrics (i.e. mean square error and coefficient of determination [R2]), while emphasising the need for balancing accuracy and processing complexity. In summary, the results show the practical feasibility of using drones to deliver TL for DNN and LSTM models to ultra‐low performance edge IoT devices for soil humidity prediction. But in general, this work also lays the foundation for further research into other applications of TinyML usage in many different aspects of smart farming.