抄録
We developed an affordable irrigation system that integrates low-cost soil moisture sensors (SEN0193) with microcomputers and evaluated its feasibility. In our experiments, we used melons (Cucumis melo L.) to compare common irrigation methods, one based on timers and the other on solar irradiation, with our sensor-based approach. In the proposed method, irrigation was controlled by the moisture levels detected by SEN0193 (referred to as the Moisture Sensor Area), with additional adjustments for salt concentration using the LM393 sensor (referred to as the EC Area). While the experimental results showed no significant differences between the treatments in terms of irrigation adequacy, the Moisture Sensor Area used the least amount of water. However, maintaining stable operation of the LM393 sensor was challenging due to frequent malfunctions and large fluctuations in output values. The salt sensitivity of SEN0193 was within acceptable limits for field applications, though variability in sensor performance and output values highlighted the need for further refinement. Overall, SEN0193 showed potential for monitoring soil conditions and optimizing water use through controlled irrigation. The software required for operating the system is available for download, allowing users to implement the system after setting up the microcomputer. Additionally, the installation costs for the experimental module were affordable for farmers.