How IoT and Sensor based Irrigation Are Changing Banana Farming for the Better
We’re thrilled to share some groundbreaking insights from our recently published research in Scientia Horticulturae: “IoT and Sensor Technologies: Increased Water and Nutrient Savings and Profit in Banana cv. Grand Nain (AAA) Production.”
Curious to learn more?
Banana farming has long been a labor- and resource-intensive process. Water management and fertilizer application play crucial roles in ensuring high yields, but traditional methods often lead to overuse, inefficiencies, and increased costs. Our study set out to change that by introducing IoT-based precision farming—and the results have been game-changing.
Being able to monitor exactly how much water banana plants need in real time, adjusting irrigation schedules based on weather conditions, and applying fertilizers with pinpoint accuracy—these are no longer just ideas. That’s exactly what we achieved in our study using our State of Art AgWise Soil Sensors and Automated irrigation systems.
At AgWise, we had the privilege of collaborating with experts like Dr. Ravi Iyyakutty and Dr. K.J. Jeyabaskaran, Principal Scientists at ICAR - National Research Centre for Banana, Tricchi, alongside our own team members— Dr Mahesh Salimath, Nirmal Kaliannan, and Varun Prabhakar. Together, we put IoT-enabled precision farming to the test and came up with some exciting findings.
Research Study Highlights
In the study, we tested three irrigation thresholds: -150 kPa (I1), -100 kPa (I2), and -50 kPa (I3). The automated system started irrigation when the average of four Watermark sensors hit the set threshold. These sensors were placed at two locations and depths (0.45 m and 0.3 m from the plant) to guide a precision irrigation strategy, ensuring the bananas got just the right amount of water based on their growth stage.
For fertigation, we used three levels of the Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (RDF): 100% (F1), 75% (F2), and 50% (F3). The control strategy followed a conventional daily irrigation schedule with 100% RDF. The fertigation schedules were based on the ICAR-NRCB recommendations. This setup helped us figure out the most efficient way to manage both water and fertilizer for optimal banana growth. The I3F3’s approach utilizing a -50kPa irrigation threshold and 50% RDF minimized water wastage, reduced fertilizer leaching, and enhanced nutrient absorption, contributing to sustainable and cost-effective agricultural practice.
What Does This Mean for Banana Farmers?
For banana farmers, this research shows that precision farming technology can be a game-changer. By using IoT-enabled soil moisture sensors, precision irrigation fertigation automation systems, farmers can optimize their water and fertilizer usage, reduce costs, and increase productivity. It’s a win-win for both the environment and the farm’s bottom line!
Our study provides a scientifically validated approach to improve banana cultivation efficiency, which can be scaled to other crops facing similar resource constraints. With the IoT Sensor based irrigation automation systems, farmers can tackle farming challenges head-on while still growing healthy, high-quality crops.
We’re excited to see how these findings will help improve crop production worldwide and are hopeful that more farmers will adopt IoT-driven solutions to create a more sustainable and profitable future for farming.
