Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-03-27 Origin: Site
Soil sensors provide a critical tool for precision farming, as they enable real-time monitoring and analysis of soil parameters. Here are the main sensor categories, and their functions:
| Sensor Type | Measurement | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|
| Soil temperature | Measures soil thermal condition (℃) | - Provides guidance on irrigation and planting timing. - Impacts on nutrient availability and microbial activity. |
| Soil Moisture | Volumetric water content is detected (%) | - Optimizes irrigation in order to avoid over/underwatering. - Improves crop yield and reduces water waste. |
| Soil EC | Measures salinity (dS/m), and nutrient concentration. | Indicates the soil salinity level. - Correlates to nutrient availability, e.g. N, K. |
| Soil pH | Acidity/alkalinity is assessed (pH 0-14). | - Assesses the soil suitability of crops. - Uses a pH guide to determine if a sulfur or lime amendment is needed. |
| Soil N/P/K | Quantifies nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (mg/kg) | - Identifies nutrient deficiencies or excess. - Supports precision fertilization. |
| Soil Salinity | Measures sodium content (e.g. NaCl in ppm). | - Prevents the buildup of salt that damages root systems. - Essential for irrigated or arid regions. |
Precision Agriculture : Customize irrigation, fertilization and pest control using real-time data.
Greenhouse Management: Automate climate control systems (e.g., humidity, temperature).
Track soil health when reforestation is taking place or contaminated areas.
Smart Irrigation Systems : Integrate IoT platforms for automated watering (e.g. LoRaWAN or NB-IoT).
Depth and Placement
Install sensors at the root zone (15-30 cm depth for most crops).
Sensors for salinity/EC: Install in areas that are prone to accumulation of salt (e.g. irrigation drip lines).
To ensure accurate readings, avoid rocks and organic debris.
Calibration:
Before deployment, calibrate pH and EC sensor with standard solutions.
For N/P/K sensors, validate against lab-tested soil samples.
Wireless Networks
Solar-powered nodes are ideal for remote areas.
Use sensors to cover large areas in a grid-like pattern. This will help you capture the spatial variability.
| Parameter | Optimal Range | Management actions |
|---|---|---|
| Soil Moisture | 20-35% (varies depending on crop) | If the threshold is below this level, activate drip irrigation. - Do not overwater. |
| Soil pH | 6.0-7.5 (most crops) | - Add Lime if pH is below 6.0. If pH is >7.5, apply sulfur. |
| EC | 1-4 dS/m (non-saline crops) | - If EC > 4 dS/m, leach soil with freshwater. - Adjust fertilizer dosage. |
| N/P/K | Crop-specific (e.g., grapes: N=50-100 mg/kg) | - For deficiencies, inject liquid fertilizer. Reduce the input if levels are higher than targets. |
| Temperature | The optimal temperature for root growth is between 10-30 degC | Use mulch as a soil insulation in cold climates. Increase the aeration when there are heatwaves. |
The soil sensors used by a California vineyard to measure the quality of its soil
Reduce water Use: Moisture sensor reduce irrigation by 40% without compromising grape quality.
Increase Nutrient Absorption: N/P/K-based data guided variable rate fertilization, increasing yield by 18%.
Preventing Salinization EC sensors detected the rising levels of salt, prompting a timely leaching. This saved 20 hectares.
