Strobe: Towards Low-Cost Soil Sensing Using Wi-Fi

The knowledge of soil moisture and electrical conductivity (EC) is critical for a variety of agricultural applications. For example, precision irrigation, which refers to the variable application of water in different regions of the farm, depends on accurate soil moisture values at different depths. This technique helps reduce water use, and also reduces soil leaching and contamination of ground water by chemicals in fertilizers and other agricultural inputs. Soil EC is another key indicator of soil health. It has been shown to correlate very well with crop yield and plant nutrient availability, and the USDA recommends that farmers measure soil EC to determine soil treatment plans and management zones for Precision Agriculture [1].