Real-world deployment of an affordable sub-soil temperature and relative humidity sensing system for precision agriculture

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Abstract
Monitoring subsoil temperature ( T ) and relative humidity (RH) is crucial for optimizing agricultural productivity and ensuring sustainable farming practices. However, existing commercial data acquisition (DAQ) systems are often expensive and inaccessible to small-scale farmers. This study presents the development and real-world deployment of an affordable DAQ (A-DAQ) sensing system for monitoring subsoil T and RH. Designed with a modular approach, the A-DAQ system integrates three types of sensors: DS18B20 ( T only), HDC1080 ( T and RH), and DHT22 ( T and RH). The system incorporates low-cost components and custom circuitry to enhance the reliability of DAQ and prevent data loss. The A-DAQ was tested during controlled burns (CBs) in a sugarcane plantation to evaluate its performance in real-world conditions, with approximately 60 m of wiring demonstrating reliable long-distance data transmission. The DS18B20 and HDC1080 sensors provided consistent and accurate subsoil temperature measurements, with readings ranging from 23 °C to 29 °C before and after the CB, respectively. The HDC1080 performed reliably for RH measurements, capturing variations from nearly 100% (before the CB) to ∼0% (after the CB). In contrast, the DHT22 exhibited malfunctions, likely due to the subsoil’s high humidity conditions before the CB, which compromised its functionality. This study demonstrates that the A-DAQ system offers an affordable and scalable solution for subsoil monitoring, highlighting its potential to make precision agriculture technologies accessible to small-scale and family farming operations, ultimately supporting crop improvement.
Funding Information
  • Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (311439/2021-7)

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