Ground based Sensors:
Dielectric Soil Moisture Sensors:
Soil moisture determines plant growth and health, making it a vital aspect of agricultural
practices. A soil moisture sensor allows for more efficient usage of resources and
provides further visibility into the health and status of crops by detecting the levels of
water. These tools can either be stationary, placed in a field at a set depth and location, or
can be portable probe-like units that are stuck into the Earth.
The method of detecting and reporting soil moisture is achieved through numerous
methods, the most popular of which are devices that measure changes in the dielectric
constant of soil. They can be found as volumetric water content soil sensors and soil
tension sensors, each with several methods of detecting irrigated water levels. Also note
that other sensors, such as soil thermometers, are commonly found alongside these
sensor.
Agricultural Temperature Sensors and Humidity Sensors:
Temperature and humidity are important values for all agricultural pursuits and can make
or break a harvest. Getting an idea of how much moisture is around and how quickly it
will evaporate (or condense in the case of cold air) will help determine how to best
manage resources and the food source in question.
Air temperature can be obtained via a digital thermometer, or is often packaged with
other sensor types. Humidity is obtained using dielectric sensors similar to those used in
soil moisture detection. Probe-like temperature sensors are also used to track greenhouse
temperatures, water temperatures for aquaponics and other applications.
Optical Sensors:
Optical sensors send out light waves and measure reflectance behavior to understand
agricultural or chemical data. They are a highly diversified technology with a huge range
of applications, despite suing the same principal technology to function. Typically
strapped to robotic equipment, drones, process equipment, or structures, these sensors
can measure soil composition, soil reflectance, chemical content, sunlight levels, and
other important values that are detectable by near-infrared, mid-infrared, and polarized
light spectrums.
Mechanical Sensors
Mechanical sensors are used to detect changes in mechanical properties like wind,
pressure forces, changes in velocities, and other physical data points. In soil, mechanical
sensors can detect differences in soil compression or resistance to movement or
displacement. Mechanical sensors can also be used in the form of accelerometers that
track movement irregularities on agricultural equipment, signaling a need for
maintenance or replacement. Other common mechanical sensors are those used in wind
vanes to measure wind speed and direction.
Electrochemical Sensors:
Electrochemical sensors track chemical compositions or presence and convert it into
measurable electrical signals. Datapoints like pH and nutrient levels, presence of salt
ions, and pollution levels are invaluable for agriculture, especially for sensitive crops and
food sources that rely on a set range of these parameters. Another important application
is the tracking of environmental data to understand better how food sources are being
affected by changes in climate, including soil acidification, eutrophication, and chemical
leaching.
Biosensors
Biosensors are similar to electrochemical sensors, except that they measure biological
samples and detect specific changes in their makeup. Biosensors can be used in
agriculture to detect specific enzymes and biological processes within soil samples or
can be used to detect ratios of biological material. Biosensors implement a wide range of
application-specific technologies, so it is difficult to say what technology they use
without specifying the analyte being measured.
