Desenvolvimento e aplicação de um sistema de monitoramento de umidade do solo com sensores a base de gesso e integração com IoT

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable and efficient agricultural practices has driven the search for innovative soil moisture monitoring solutions. In this context, this thesis presents the development and application of a Soil Moisture Monitoring System using gypsum-based sensors integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT). The study focuses on the creation of a low-cost soil moisture sensor, using gypsum as an electrical conductor, with resistance measurements as the basis for moisture assessment.The developed sensor system wirelessly transmits data to the IoT platform ThingsBoard, aiming to centralize information and create dashboards for comprehensive monitoring. Data transmission is facilitated by an ESP32 microcontroller, which captures resistance readings and sends them via Wi-Fi using the MQTT protocol. Additionally, a native Android application developed in Kotlin complements the system, allowing users to interact with the ESP32 controller, providing real-time information on resistance levels and the sensor’s battery status, even offline. As a result of the creation of this sensor, it is now possible to measure soil moisture in cultivation areas affordably, benefiting both rural producers and gardening enthusiasts who can monitor their plants through a mobile application. A successful case of this application was the implementation in risk areas, such as the Caixa d’Água neighborhood in Recife, where it aids in predicting landslides by providing real-time data through the ThingsBoard platform. This implementation allows continuous monitoring and historical tracking of moisture measurements, contributing to safety and decision-making in the area. This interdisciplinary approach offers an economical solution for soil moisture monitoring, leveraging gypsum-based sensors and IoT integration to optimize agricultural practices and water management.