Development of an Embedded Moisture Sensing Device for a Distributive Network to Control Irrigation using IoT

Measurement of soil moisture and control of irrigation according to the measured data is crucial in agriculture fields where water scarcity is always a serious issue. For this purpose, a cost-effective distributive network system has been proposed and developed using technology like IoT to control complex irrigation processes. An internet-enabled embedded moisture sensing unit was designed that consists of a capacitive sensor probe and electronic system to process the soil moisture value. The sensor probe was calibrated for six different varieties of soil using the Thermo gravimetric method. The output response is inspiring, with a goodness of fit value of 0.99. Algorithms are developed for irrigation control that operates by a developed web-based application from the control station. The system was implemented at a total cost of 122.37 US dollars and tested in cassava agriculture field for loam soil in Nagaland, India, for 91 days and showed magnificent water saving of up to 95% compared with traditional approaches.