A Sensor-based Smart Soil Health Monitoring System for Weed Detection in Permeable Paver-based Farms

The main problem with weeds in the farming sector is the fact that they out-compete crops for resources such as water, nutrients, and space. This kind of competition correlates with a great reduction in crop production and, in most cases, the resultant use of more chemical herbicides. To solve this problem, a new system of smart soil health monitoring has been designed. It is meant to be in collaboration with a farm infrastructure which consists of permeable block paving- or paver blocks- which are special paving which allow water and air to pass through whilst covering up the technology beneath. Sensors installed under these pavers are used to monitor the essential soil parameters and determine the amount of moisture, temperature, and the overall well-being of the soil at all times. Through this real-time data, the system can monitor when the environment is conducive to the growth of the weed and also know the amount of water required by the soil on the ground. The system notifies early warnings to the phone of the farmer when they find that the conditions might be conducive to growing weed. It can react fast and precisely to prevent the spread of weeds, which would allow preventing the excessive use of herbicides. It also assists farmers to make more sound irrigation choices that avoid waste of water and enhance soil quality over time. In general, this strategy facilitates precision farming, i.e., making decisions using precise and localized data, and sustainable agriculture through decreasing the use of chemicals and safeguarding the environment.