DIGITAL SOIL MONITORING THROUGH IoT AND DRONES FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

Abstract

Digital soil monitoring integrates the Internet of Things (IoT), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), remote sensing and machine learning to improve soil assessment and support sustainable agriculture. IoT-enabled sensors facilitate the monitoring of soil moisture, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity and selected nutrient indicators. UAV-based imaging supports spatial mapping of soil organic matter, texture, nitrogen-related patterns and salinity-associated variability. Integrating ground-based measurements with aerial observations and geographic information systems enables more detailed soil characterization and site-specific management. These technologies can assist in irrigation scheduling, nutrient management and the identification of areas requiring further soil sampling. However, sensor calibration, laboratory validation, communication limitations, data quality and model uncertainty remain important challenges. Combining digital technologies with conventional soil analysis can strengthen precision agriculture and promote efficient resource utilization.