An Integrated Decision Support System Based on Wireless Sensor Networks Applied in Precision Agriculture

Until recently data acquisition in integrated pest management (IPM) relied on manual collection of both pest and environmental data. Autonomous wireless sensor networks (WSN) are providing a way forward by reducing the need for manual offload and maintenance; however, there is still a significant gap in pest management using WSN with most applications failing to provide a low-cost, autonomous monitoring system that can operate in remote areas. In this study, we investigate the feasibility of implementing a reliable, fully independent, low-power WSN that will provide high-resolution, near-real-time input to a spatial decision support system (SDSS), capturing the small-scale heterogeneity needed for intelligent IPM. The WSN hosts a dual-uplink taking advantage of both satellite and terrestrial communication. A set of tests were conducted to assess metrics such as signal strength, data transmission and bandwidth of the SatCom module as well as mesh configuration, energetic autonomy, point to point communication and data loss of the WSN nodes. Finally, we demonstrate the SDSS output from two vector models forced by WSN data from a field site in Belgium. We believe that this system can be a cost-effective solution for intelligent IPM in remote areas where there is no reliable terrestrial connection.

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A Cotton High-Efficiency Water-Fertilizer Control System Using Wireless Sensor Network for Precision Agriculture

Processes ◽

10.3390/pr9101693 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 1693

Author(s):

Chanchan Du ◽

Lixin Zhang ◽

Xiao Ma ◽

Xiaokang Lou ◽

Yongchao Shan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Control System ◽

Decision Support ◽

Wireless Sensor Network ◽

Decision Support System ◽

Sensor Network ◽

Support System ◽

Precision Agriculture ◽

High Efficiency ◽

Wireless Sensor ◽

Sensors And Actuators

Scientific researchers have applied newly developed technologies, such as sensors and actuators, to different fields, including environmental monitoring, traffic management, and precision agriculture. Using agricultural technology to assist crop fertilization is an important research innovation that can not only reduce the workload of farmers, but also reduce resource waste and soil pollution. This paper describes the design and development of a water-fertilizer control system based on the soil conductivity threshold. The system uses a low-cost wireless sensor network as a data collection and transmission tool and transmits the data to the decision support system. The decision support system considers the change in soil electrical conductivity (EC) and moisture content to guide the application of water-fertilizer, and then improves the fertilization accuracy of the water-fertilizer control system. In the experiment, the proposed water-fertilizer control system was tested, and it was concluded that, compared with the existing traditional water-fertilizer integration control system, the amount of fertilizer used by the system was reduced by 10.89% on average, and it could save 0.76–0.87 tons of fertilizer throughout the whole growth period of cotton.

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