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Development and testing of a low‐cost soil moisture sensor for real‐time irrigation scheduling

Ebstu, Edmealem Temesgen ; Hatiye, Samuel Dagalo ; Goshime, Demelesh Wendimagegnehu ; Dingemanse, Johannes Dirk LU orcid ; Dugassa, Demiso Daba ; Fitensa, Tafesse ; Enssa, Getachew ; Chare, Chanako Dane ; Areru, Destaw Akil and Demeke, Yared Godine (2025) In Irrigation and Drainage 75(1). p.173-187
Abstract
Effective irrigation scheduling is essential for improved water management in irrigated areas, with soil moisture monitoring recognized as one of the most effective methods. However, challenges such as the high cost of sensors and the difficulties in monitoring large areas hinder their practical application, particularly for smallholder farmers. This study aimed to design and test a locally made low-cost Arduino-based soil moisture (ASM) sensor for real-time irrigation scheduling. The ASM sensor was first tested in the laboratory and then deployed in a wheat field in comparison with a Pycom soil moisture (PSM) sensor and a conventional soil moisture (CSM) method. Initial results indicated that ASM readings were about 13% lower than CSM... (More)
Effective irrigation scheduling is essential for improved water management in irrigated areas, with soil moisture monitoring recognized as one of the most effective methods. However, challenges such as the high cost of sensors and the difficulties in monitoring large areas hinder their practical application, particularly for smallholder farmers. This study aimed to design and test a locally made low-cost Arduino-based soil moisture (ASM) sensor for real-time irrigation scheduling. The ASM sensor was first tested in the laboratory and then deployed in a wheat field in comparison with a Pycom soil moisture (PSM) sensor and a conventional soil moisture (CSM) method. Initial results indicated that ASM readings were about 13% lower than CSM values, with a linear regression slope of 0.87. After calibration, the slope improved to 1.0, correcting the underestimate. Based on performance metrics including RMSE, relative error, confidence index and index of agreement, the sensor showed a strong linear correlation (R2 = 0.97) with CSM both before and after calibration, which was rated as ‘excellent’. The PSM sensor achieved near-perfect agreement with CSM results, showing the reliability of low-cost sensor alternatives. Overall, the ASM sensor demonstrated accuracy, cost-effectiveness and practical suitability, offering a valuable solution for enhancing irrigation scheduling in resource-limited settings. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; and
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Irrigation and Drainage
volume
75
issue
1
pages
173 - 187
publisher
John Wiley & Sons Inc.
external identifiers
  • scopus:105013824204
ISSN
1531-0353
DOI
10.1002/ird.70026
project
Low-cost research methods in Ethiopia
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
96fca7a5-99d8-459b-8da9-41d2dbefa851
date added to LUP
2026-06-08 08:35:03
date last changed
2026-08-12 19:42:08
@article{96fca7a5-99d8-459b-8da9-41d2dbefa851,
  abstract     = {{Effective irrigation scheduling is essential for improved water management in irrigated areas, with soil moisture monitoring recognized as one of the most effective methods. However, challenges such as the high cost of sensors and the difficulties in monitoring large areas hinder their practical application, particularly for smallholder farmers. This study aimed to design and test a locally made low-cost Arduino-based soil moisture (ASM) sensor for real-time irrigation scheduling. The ASM sensor was first tested in the laboratory and then deployed in a wheat field in comparison with a Pycom soil moisture (PSM) sensor and a conventional soil moisture (CSM) method. Initial results indicated that ASM readings were about 13% lower than CSM values, with a linear regression slope of 0.87. After calibration, the slope improved to 1.0, correcting the underestimate. Based on performance metrics including RMSE, relative error, confidence index and index of agreement, the sensor showed a strong linear correlation (R2 = 0.97) with CSM both before and after calibration, which was rated as ‘excellent’. The PSM sensor achieved near-perfect agreement with CSM results, showing the reliability of low-cost sensor alternatives. Overall, the ASM sensor demonstrated accuracy, cost-effectiveness and practical suitability, offering a valuable solution for enhancing irrigation scheduling in resource-limited settings.}},
  author       = {{Ebstu, Edmealem Temesgen and Hatiye, Samuel Dagalo and Goshime, Demelesh Wendimagegnehu and Dingemanse, Johannes Dirk and Dugassa, Demiso Daba and Fitensa, Tafesse and Enssa, Getachew and Chare, Chanako Dane and Areru, Destaw Akil and Demeke, Yared Godine}},
  issn         = {{1531-0353}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{08}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{173--187}},
  publisher    = {{John Wiley & Sons Inc.}},
  series       = {{Irrigation and Drainage}},
  title        = {{Development and testing of a low‐cost soil moisture sensor for real‐time irrigation scheduling}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ird.70026}},
  doi          = {{10.1002/ird.70026}},
  volume       = {{75}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}