WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORK FOR SOIL MOISTURE MANAGEMENT

ABSTRACT The development of a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) for soil moisture management presents an efficient approach to precision agriculture by enabling real-time monitoring and control of irrigation processes. Traditional soil moisture assessment techniques such as gravimetric and tensiometric methods are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and provide limited spatial coverage. To overcome these limitations, this study designed and implemented a WSN-based soil monitoring system consisting of multiple sensor nodes, wireless transceivers, a central control unit, and a data visualization interface. Each sensor node measures soil moisture content and transmits data wirelessly to a base station, where the information is processed and analyzed for irrigation decision-making.The system was developed using components such as soil moisture sensors, microcontrollers, and LoRa communication modules for long-range data transmission. Simulation and field testing were conducted to evaluate system performance based on accuracy, network reliability, energy efficiency, and coverage range. Results showed that the system achieved an average accuracy of 95.8%, packet loss below 2%, and stable data transmission within a 50-meter range. The energy-efficient design allowed the nodes to operate for over 72 hours on a single charge. The findings demonstrate that the WSN-based soil moisture management system provides a reliable, scalable, and sustainable solution for agricultural water management. Its integration can significantly reduce water wastage, enhance crop productivity, and promote smart farming practices. This research therefore contributes to the advancement of digital agriculture through the application of wireless sensing technology for improved soil and water resource management. Keywords: Irrigation Management, IoT, Precision Agriculture, Soil Moisture, Wireless Sensor Network.