Precision Agriculture Detecting NPK Level Using a Wireless Sensor Network with Mobile Sensor Nodes
Jhon Louise C. Ison, Justin Alfred B. San Pedro, Jemmar Z. Ramizares, Glenn V. Magwili, Carlos C. Hortinela
Abstract
Agriculture is one of the most important things to be considered in a nation because it is one of its backbones. The nutrients plants need most and will not survive are referred to as the primary macronutrients are Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. These nutrients are necessary for healthier crops and higher yields, so NPK fertilizers are usd to supplement the soil’s lack of nutrients. To detect the amount of NPK in soil, this paper proposed a wireless sensor network using mobile sensor nodes. For detecting soil nutrients, the device used a lux sensor. To prepare the soil for sensor calibration, the sensor is calibrated using controlled NPK. To ensure that the nutrient in the soil sample is correct, the soil-controlled NPK is checked with the UPLB Soil Test Kit. Soil samples are used to calibrate and determine the thresholds for low, medium, and high nutrient levels in each soil. Different forms of soil and lighting conditions will be used in the tests. The average percent difference between different soil type’s NPK values is as follows: 6.30%, 16.88%, and 13. 65%. The values are higher than 5%. While, for the different lighting conditions, and the average values are as follows: 054%, 1.21%, and 1. 11%. The following percentages are less than 5%. The system is only limited to following a straight line, is not waterproof, and cannot be used in muddy or extremely rough conditions. In addition, the device should be calibrated for each use under various lighting conditions and soil types.