Maximizing Seed Fertility for underground

agriculture field using Wireless Sensors

Muhammad Zuhair Mahnoor Iqbal
Department of Electrical Engineering Shahzad Ashraf Department of Electrical Engineering
NFC Institute of Engineering and Department of Electrical Engineering NFC Institute of Engineering and
Technology NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology
Multan Pakistan Technology Multan Pakistan
m.zuhairkorai110@gmail.com Multan Pakistan mahnooriqbal0026@gmail.com
nfc.iet@hotmail.com
Syed Zain Raza Fouzia Akram
Department of Electrical Engineering Alief Khokhar Department of Electrical Engineering
NFC Institute of Engineering and Department of Electrical Engineering NFC Institute of Engineering and
Technology NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology
Multan Pakistan Technology Multan Pakistan
razazain007@gmail.com Multan Pakistan fouziaakram2510@gmail.com
alief_khokhar31@yahoo.com

Abstract— A major challenge faced by the agriculture
industry is the optimal growth of seeds. Such uncouth fertility
occurs when either no water reaches to seed at under soil or some
obstacles prevent it. A wireless sensor-based communication
model has been developed to notice an accurate status of the
water level reaching the seeds of various crops such as wheat,
maize, barley, and cotton with soil types Loamy, Silty clay, and
Black soil. In the proposed model, (MSFWS) the water level is
being measured in real time scenario and transmits data to the
base station accordingly. Eight sensor nodes and a base station
have been deployed accompanied by an Arduino package in an
area of 90 x 30 square feet to monitor water level. The study will
keep track of water levels, and the farmer will be informed about
the status of water. In addition, farmers will also be aware of the
field if water is distributed uniformly. The performance of the
proposed MSFWS model has been compared with other studies
such as Remote water-level monitoring system (RWMS), Low
cost wireless sensor network (LCSN), and Ensemble
groundwater level prediction (E-GWLP) by conducting
simulation using PROTEUS. The proposed model performs
better.
Keywords— Base station, detection, monitoring proteus, sensor
node, water level
I. INTRODUCTION
Agriculture is the art and science of sowing seeds, growing
crops, and producing food for a country. Agriculture leads to
the production of different animal and plant products. It also
results in food and fabric production. Before agriculture,
people searched for food and spent their lives hunting and
searching for food. With the growth of crops and fields, the
breeding and herding of wild animals also increased. Farmers
are the main heroes in agriculture as they work a lot for the
growth and development of crops and the agriculture
industry[1]. They use different tools and machines for their
work and work day and night for the betterment of this
industry. A barren land cannot give proper growth of crops
and vegetation but using latest technology and the management
one can lessen the infertility of soil to improve the poor growth
of plants and agricultural fields. A wireless sensing element
network was created for an agriculture field within which
various crops were selected, and their water consumption in
line with soil and time was measured. Using wireless sensor
networks the WIFI signals detect the water level and sent it to
the bottom station. Every crop and soil is deeply studied and
the relevant time was studied to produce results. Four different
soils, i.e., loamy soil, silty clay loam, and loam soil black soil
and crops, i.e., barley, cotton, maize, and wheat, were thought-
about and then an analysis was done about water level
consumption and the behavior with soils. Per hour watering
time and depth of each crop with relevant soil were considered
to obtain the results.
Deployment of sensors in under-surface fields will yield
crops better growth and more generation of products for
agricultural industry. Three comparative strategies, i.e.,
Remote water-level monitoring system (RWMS) [2], low-cost
wireless sensor network (LCSN) [3], and ensemble
groundwater level prediction (E-GWLP) [4], were used for
comparison and generating results. The Arduino system [5],
would communicate to sensors and actuators wirelessly and
signals were transmitted and received through an RF
transmitter and receiver [6]. The world's first entirely machine-
operated crop was harvested in 2017 [7]. Still, later on, it felt
like an essential part of the agriculture field. Every country
decided to improve its agriculture industry through artificial
intelligence, digitalization, mobile technologies, the internet,
and many other ways. information technology is used in
agriculture to make a company more productive and increase
food growth. Moreover, it helped farmers do their work
efficiently, informed them, and made timely and sound
decisions. It is an unseen resource in the soil or rocks beneath
the surface of the earth that is scarce.
A. Use of Sensors in the Agriculture Fie
The usage of wireless sensor in agriculture field has
brought significant improvements in crop production [8]. The
sensors are being used for many purposes keeping farmer with
updates. The sensors provide data to the farmers through which
they get assisted, and then they make the required changes in
the system. This intelligent technology is continuously
growing and enlarging. Mainly, three types of sensor are used
in innovative agriculture industries i.e Ph Sensors [9],
Humidity and Temperature Sensors [10], and Accelerometer
Sensor [11]. A part from these sensors there are some other
allied components that work together such as GPS, used to
keep tracking the activity of various happenings [12].
B. Importance of wireless sensors in agriculture
The use of sensors in agriculture is crucial in order to get
the rapid real-time data. A mechanism for gathering data such
as this can produce an immediate change in an agri system,
allowing to monitor agri-parameters in real-time with high
accuracy. As a result of the availability of so many data
sources in such a short time period, it is difficult to make the
appropriate decision as a result of the influx of data.
C. Wireless sensors in agriculture: challenges and solutions
As sensor nodes sense the data and perform the further
processing in the line of transmission and the routing. All
these activities cannot be accomplished sans using energy.
Therefore, the biggest challenges seems the energy
consumption and an efficient energy management strategy
becomes indispensable to enhance the life time of the batteries
[13]. Ecological factors usually cause data transmission
failures [14]. Data transmission is usually limited to a short
range by most wireless sensor communication technologies,
require additional sensors and routers to create a wireless
sensor network [15].
The main contributions of study are described as
• The deployed sensor nodes sense the water level and
transmit the signal to base station.
• The base station collects data from all sensors and
sends the status of water level to user through GSM.
• Various soils and the crops are tested and the outcome
is compared with other systems.
• The simulation has been conducted using PROTEUS,
to analyze the output of proposed MSFWS model
with other models.
The results of proposed MSFWS model vouched the
suitability of the system and maximum fertility would be
possible.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW
The literature review determined that each study has
numerous limitations and challenges which led to the proposal
of this study for each crop and soil.
Lorena Parra et al. [16], presented an innovative study to
improve the utilization of resources and reduce the emission
of harmful gases in urban environments through the
integration of Information and Communications Technology
(ICT). They explored the issue of sustainability of
groundwater resources and how it is affected by a number of
factors. However, they where not able to monitor the water
level for the specific crop in their experiments.
Another approach had presented by Iliya tizhe thuku et
al.[17], which reviewed various instrumentation techniques
that were applied in groundwater level determination. They
focused on Groundwater level monitoring with ultrasonic,
radar, capacitive, and optical sensors, but all were limited.
There were lots of problems while measuring the water
pressure.
Wei Li et al. [18], focused on the development of a remote
measurement system for monitoring environmental
parameters in agricultural fields using portable wireless sensor
networks. Additionally, it addresses the problems associated
with current plans, including their cost, availability, and
accessibility to the outdoors. By controlling soil moisture
levels, it reduces human error and saves time. Their method
was failed due to the absence of any water level detection.
For environmental monitoring, Ian F. Akyildiz et al.[19],
monitored soil properties and toxic substances. The sensors
were deployed completely underground. Water level was
affected by other factors such as rainfall, soil moisture
content, and groundwater levels, but none of these factors
indicate a significant change.
According to Xiuhong Li et al.[20], a field sensor module,
a base station module, a data center module, and a WEB
release module are included in the mechanism. The system
takes steps to protect itself, such as reducing sampling
frequency or cutting off high-energy sensors. Using a self-
developed embedded ZKOS operating system, the portable
wireless water-level monitoring system was expandable, real-
time, and affordable. This system was not fully wirelessly
operated and wires were used which caused disturbances.
III. PROPOSTED METHOD
The proposed study consists of wireless sensor nodes and
a base station. The sensor nodes are deployed under the
agricultural field at particular positions i.e, 11 feet apart away
from each other as shown in figure 1. The base station receives
data packet from each sensor node and then transmits this data
to the end user through GSM network to the appropriate
gadgets of the end user. These sensor nodes have been tested
with various crops and the soils as well. Initially, every crop
and soil was deeply studied and water flow for each crop and
the soil was pre-examined. Three different soils were taken as
Loamy soil, Silty clay loam soil and Black soil. The crops
such as wheat, barley, maize and cotton are taken into account.
A meticulous analysis was performed regarding water level
consumption and its behavior with soils. Further, a per hour
watering time with depth of each seed was considered because
each crop has different seed depth.
Fig. 1. Sensor topology topology
 The entire field area has a total measurement of 90 x 30 Maize loamy soil
sq-ft, where 8 sensor nodes have been deployed. During each
experiment, the type of soil and crop is chosen separately, but Barley Slit Clay loamy soil
the area remains the same. The water pipe having five inch Cotton Black soil
diameter has been installed that supply the water to entire
field. Sensor 1, 6 are 11 feet away from the end of the pipe, TABLE III
while sensor 3 is 13 feet away. The flow of the water in the
PERMEABILITY OF SOILS
pipe is laminar and its flow has been calculated according to
the Poiseuille equation [21], as Eq. 1 Soil types Permeability

(π𝐷4 ΔP) Loamy Soil 0.2 – 0.4 inches/hr

𝑄= (1)
8μΔx Slit Clay Loamy Soil 0.3 inches/hr
This equation represents a water flow rate with Q, the Black Soil 0.6 inches/hr
diameter of pipe is represented by D, having ΔP as pressure Seeds in each crop requires different soil depth and therefore,
difference between both ends of the pipe, μ is a dynamic table 4, lists the depth of seed for all crop types.
viscosity based on pipe length Δx. It is worth noting that flow
TABLE IV
of water. Depends on variables such as radius (r) and length
DEPTH OF SEEDS
(L) of the pipe, pressure gradient (∆P) and viscosity (η). The
pressure gradient (∆P) can further be defined as difference in Crop Seed depth
pressure between the two ends of the pipe is determined by the Wheat 1.5 – 2.0 inches
fact that the water will always flow from the High-Pressure Maize 1.5 – 2.5 inches
Area (P1) to the Low-Pressure Area (P2) therefore, (∆P = P2
Barley 1.5 – 2.0 inches
- P1). The equation (1) can be re-written as Eq. 2
Cotton 0.5 – 1.5 inches
π𝐷4 (P2 − P1) The growth of every crop requires different environment
𝑄= (2)
8μL and the moisture therefore, seeds are also needed to place in
For proposed MSFWS method, the average speed of the water such a way that maximum fertility can be assured.
has been computed according the parameters given in table 1 Consequently, each underground deployed sensor also
and further substituting these parameters in equation 2, the requires the different depth in accordance to the crop
speed of water is being computed as Eq. 3, 4 & 5. requirement. Table 5, Shows the variety of sensor depth with
TABLE I respected crop.
PARAMETERS FOR SPEED OF WATER TABLE V
Length of pipe 366 cm DEPTH OF SENSORS

Diameter 127 mm Crop types Sensor depth

Viscosity 0.01 (Pascal seconds) Wheat 2.7 inches

Maize 2.2 inches
Pressure 600 (Pascal)
Barley 2.7 inches

𝑄=3.14×(127)4(600)8×0.01×366 (3) Cotton 2.0 inches

The circuit diagram with attributes of deployed sensors

𝑄=3.14×(260,144,641)×(600)8×0.01×366 (4) are shown in figure 2. Water level sensors are connected
to Arduino board which is connected to a transceiver that
𝑄=1.6 × 1010 m/s (5) sends signal to a base station. The base station then
forwards signals to user's devices.
Now, in order to calculate the water flow from the last end
of the pipe towards deployed sensor nodes it is assured that
water flows under steady-state condition and flow rate in the
pipe is the same at any location along the length of the pipe.
Therefore, continuity equation can be represented as Eq. 6
Flow = Velocity ×Area (6)

The properties of soil and relevant permeability (the ability of

soil to absorbed water) with crop types are listed in Table 2
& 3 respectively.
TABLE II
Fig. 2. Description of water level sensor deployed in underground field
CROP AND SOIL TYPES
This The module conveys an outcome voltage. When the
Crop types Type of soil
Wheat loamy soil
water level passes indepth of soil, a handoff stablishes to start
siphoning water. The soil dampness sensor is direct and has 4
pins to relate. AO (Analog Output) pin offers a bare hint
between the stock worth 0v and relate to one of the specific
responsibility on Arduino. DO (Digital Output) pin gives the
Digital aftereffect of the inside comparator circuit.
A detail information flow mechanism is shown in figure 3,
and it is divided into two phases. First phase shows the sensor
node dealing the water level while second section shows the
message transmission mechanism from base station to the end
user. Initially, deployed sensor nodes in underground field
invokes and check whether plausible water level has been
achieved through X and Y parameter that is already Fig. 4. Proposed topology during simulation
programmed in arduino and these parameters must be satisfied
the condition X > =Y. If it is not a case then a delay would be
added into average received time as t+5 => w and sets water
level is not achieved. After achieving required water level,
signal is transmitted to transceiver that further sends it to the
base station. The water level is achieved at time instant “t” at
sensor value X. The achieved information and data are
transferred through GSM to the user interface. As the data is
received by the user, the process ends and same loop remain
continues. On the other hand, when water level was not
achieved same steps would be followed and message will be
communicated to the end user gadget.

Fig. 5. Water level for wheat is being detected by sensors

The step by step status of water level reaching to seeds for

Fig. 3. Information flowchart
IV. SIMULATION PERFORMANCE
The simulation of proposed MSFWS method has been
conducted to in proteus 8 to analyzed the performance shown
in figure 4. Eight sensors nodes are placed and connected to
Arduino board which connected next to the transceiver and
communication takes place to the base station from where the
user is notified. After setting the sensor parameters as soon as
the simulation is executed the output screen appears and
indicate the water level illustrated in figure 5. worth noting that
when sensor node sense the water level, this level is send to the
Arduino for processing which compares this level to a pre-
fixed value. The Y is set as pre-fixed value for water level
which changes for each crop while X is a real-time sensed level
of the water by the sensor nodes. During execution when X >
= Y, the value is transmitted along with the message as "water
level is achieved" to the base station using the transceiver
connected to the Arduino. If the condition is not satisfied, then
a timer would include the a delay as "t+5=>w," where t is the
time at which the value is sensed, and w is the specific time
pre-fixed in the Arduino. If the sensor cannot sense the water
level in the time "w," then the signal will be sent to the base
station "water level not achieved yet" using the transceiver. At
base station, all signals would be received and will be
forwarded to the end user accordingly.
each crop has been tested with all three soils.
V. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
The outcome of simulation results are critically analyzed
according to the objective of the study. Four crops Wheat,
Maize, Barley and Cotton were tested in Loamy, Silty clay,
and Black soil to ensure the performance of the proposed
method for analyzing the status of water level reaching to the
seeds whereas standardized water absorption parameters of
the soil were considered. The outcome of proposed method
has been compared with three state of the art studies i.e
Remote water-level monitoring system (RWMS), Low-cost
wireless sensor network (LCSN), and Ensemble groundwater
level prediction (E-GWLP).
A. Performance evaluation for Wheat
The result statistics are shown in figure 6. It concluded that
E-GWL could not detect the water level because this study
was mainly focused to detect the underground water level.
LCSN came up with the idea that an automatic sprinkler with
sensors can better conserve the water but even it could not
handle the soil and crop type. For RWMS, as system was
mainly designed to detect the level of water in rivers through
telemetry, it produced a more uncouth detection. As a result,
there was no precession in water detection and the resultant
curve starting from sensor node 1 to sensor node 8 was able to
detect water for up to 13 hours. Finally, the proposed MSFWS
method has shown a prudent performance because deployed
sensor nodes achieved the water level in timely fashion and
responded in full capacity. The detection curve began at 2
hours and completed the entire detection up to the node 8 by
less than 7 hours which is the hallmark of shrewd output.

Fig. 6. Weighing the level of water detection in wheat
Similarly, performance comparison of rest of the crops
such as Maize, Barley, and Cotton are obtained and related
discussion is made according to the statistics in figures 7, 8 and
9 respectively.
Fig. 7. Comparing maize water level detection with other methods
Fig. 8. For barely, water level detection comes out more precisely
Fig. 9. Cotton comes up with better statistics
In all comparisons, it can be seen that proposed MSFWS
method of water level detection performed much better than
the previous studies.
VI. CONCLUSION
This study accomplished all significant objectives to get
maximum fertility of the seeds in underground agriculture by
using wireless sensor nodes. All detections were made
shrewdly as compare to other studies such as Remote water-
level monitoring system (RWMS), Low cost wireless sensor
network (LCSN), and Ensemble groundwater level prediction
(E-GWLP). According to the findings, applying BUWLN four
crops i.e wheat, maize, barley and cotton while three soils
loamy, silty clay, and black soil were tested. n the future more
crops can be tested, which would increase productivity and
contribute to the GDP of the country.
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