Wireless sensor network for precision irrigation control in horticultural crops.

Wireless sensor networks for crop monitoring have become more common, but typically support sensing only and not control. Much of the work on wireless sensor networks with integrated control has been conducted in academic research. To promote the accessibility of commercially-available wireless sensing and control networks, valve control hardware and software were developed to be compatible with a commercial wireless sensor node. The work was conducted in collaboration with a wireless network vendor such that the research conducted with this wireless system and the product itself would be available to growers. The valve actuation system included custom node firmware, actuator hardware and firmware, and base computer communication software and a web interface. Network range, energy consumption, and actuator operation were characterized. A commercial soil moisture sensor was selected to monitor nursery container water content for closed-loop irrigation control in container nurseries.