Analysis of Soil Nutrients and Water Levels Using Internet of Things (IoT) for Different Land Use Options

Abstract

The analysis of soil nutrients and water levels is an essential part of intensive farming, agroforestry, and conservation agriculture. This system calculates soil water balance and optimal nutrient levels. The system monitors and evaluates land use options and recommends the most appropriate one using the Internet of Things (IoT). Data is analyzed and visualized with Ubidots. By analyzing landscape water and nutrient levels, this analysis determines optimal land use. The experiment was carried out at the Federal Polytechnic Ile-Oluji in Nigeria's rain forest zone. In this study, different land use patterns (arable land, cocoa plantations, oil palm plantations, and forests) were examined to determine the effects of soil testing methods on nutrient availability and mining. It may not be as effective to use traditional soil tests. They cannot be done during a crop's life cycle because they take longer to produce results. Compared to conventional laboratory soil analysis, the smart soil analyzer measures soil nutrients and water levels. A GPS receiver was used to determine the coordinates of sampling points. Samples were taken at three depths (0–15, 15–30, and 30–75 cm), and prepared for laboratory analysis. The soil analyzer measured soil moisture content (MC%) more accurately between 0 and 15 cm, 15–30 cm, and 30–75 cm. At p 0.05, LSD found no significance. Soil moisture content in cocoa plantations was highest between 0 and 15, 15 to 30, and 30 to 75 cm compared to oil palm, forests, and arable land.