Prototype of automated irrigation system improves the yield of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Riobamba-Ecuador using wireless network sensors-WSN and 6LoWPAN

Abstract

The aim of this study was to optimize irrigation\xa0water in the potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv INIAP Natividad)\xa0crop to ensure the maximum productivity of the crop, using WSN\xa0according to the agro-ecological conditions of the area, which\xa0have allowed to monitor environmental parameters in potato\xa0cultivation and have ensured an efficient control system in\xa0irrigation. The WSN irrigation network was implemented using\xa0four Arduino modules configured with 6LoWPAN; two modules\xa0controlled the solenoid valves together with FC-28 sensors, which\xa0capture soil moisture, and through the DHT11 sensor the\xa0temperature and relative humidity. The fourth module\xa0functioned as a gateway through which information is sent to a\xa0database developed in PostgreSQL. Additionally, a Web server\xa0(Apache) was configured to visualize the control of the drip\xa0irrigation system developed in php, JAVA. It was concluded that\xa0the T1 (automated irrigation), which had achieved an evidence\xa0with a higher productivity in the potato cultivation in 19.2%,\xa0with a water consumption of 20% less than the T2 (manual\xa0irrigation). This evidences a clear saving of the hydric resource\xa0and an optimum development in the potato crop when comparing\xa0it with traditional irrigation system.