Description:The following specification describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be designed:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of agricultural applications for fertility testing devices. More specifically, the invention pertains to a highly effective and innovative Smart Agricultural Soil Fertility Testing Device that addresses the challenges associated with agriculture. This field of invention highlights the novel aspects of your device, such as its portability, low cost, and ease of use, which enable accurate NPK level measurement in soil. Additionally, it includes a system that recommends precise fertilizer for optimal crop growth. This field emphasizes the contribution to precision agriculture, which aims to enhance agricultural productivity, reduce resource waste, and promote sustainable farming practices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Traditional agriculture in India has long relied on the expertise of farmers and their understanding of the local soil and climate conditions to make decisions regarding crop cultivation and fertilization. However, the increasing use of chemical fertilizers and the lack of proper soil testing methods have led to issues such as soil pollution, reduced crop yields, and resource waste.
Precision agriculture has emerged as a promising approach to tackle these challenges by utilizing advanced technologies for data-driven decision-making in crop and soil management. Soil testing is a crucial aspect of precision agriculture, as it provides essential information for determining the appropriate type of fertilizers required for optimal crop growth.
Despite the benefits of precision agriculture and soil testing, many farmers in India, especially in remote areas, still lack access to affordable and efficient soil testing methods. Traditional soil testing methods can be time-consuming, expensive, and often require specialized laboratory equipment and expertise.
To address these challenges, the "Smart Soil Fertility Testing Device for Precision Agriculture" aims to provide a portable, low-cost, and easy-to-use device for accurately measuring soil nutrient levels. The device utilizes NPK sensors to determine the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content in the soil, with rainfall and area of land which are essential elements for plant growth. Additionally, the device predicts the specific fertilizer required for optimal crop growth based on the soil test results.
The system serves as a platform for presenting the soil test results and making fertilizer recommendations. It is designed to be user-friendly, accessible, and compatible with various devices, enabling farmers to make informed decisions regarding fertilization and crop management.
"Smart Soil Fertility Testing Device for Precision Agriculture" invention builds upon the need for accurate, affordable, and accessible soil testing methods in precision agriculture. By providing a portable device for NPK level measurement and a system for fertilizer recommendations, this invention aims to empower farmers, enhance agricultural productivity, reduce resource waste, bridge the technology gap for farmers in remote areas, and promote sustainable farming practices.
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the "Smart Soil Fertility Testing Device for Precision Agriculture" invention is to provide a comprehensive solution for accurate soil testing and fertilizer management in agriculture. The specific objectives include:
1. To develop a portable, low-cost, and easy-to-use soil fertility testing device that can accurately measure nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) levels in the soil, enabling farmers to conduct soil tests without relying on expensive laboratory equipment or expertise.
2. To create a system that can analyse the soil test results and recommend the precise fertilizer required for optimal crop growth, ensuring that farmers apply the right type of fertilizers to their soil, reducing resource waste and promoting sustainable farming practices.
3. To empower farmers with essential soil information for optimal crop management, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding crop cultivation, fertilization, and irrigation, ultimately leading to increased agricultural productivity, improved food security, and higher farm income.
4. To bridge the technology gap for farmers in remote areas, providing them with access to advanced agricultural technologies that can help them overcome the challenges of soil pollution, reduced crop yields, and resource waste, thereby promoting inclusive and sustainable agricultural development.
5. To promote precision agriculture and data-driven decision-making in crop and soil management, contributing to the global efforts towards sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and climate change mitigation.
In essence, the objective of the "Smart Soil Fertility Testing Device for Precision Agriculture" invention is to create a user-friendly, accessible, and affordable soil testing and fertilizer management solution for farmers, with the potential to significantly impact agricultural productivity, resource efficiency, and sustainable farming practices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention introduces a novel and innovative "Smart Soil Fertility Testing Device for Precision Agriculture" designed to provide accurate soil testing and fertilizer management in agriculture. The invention comprises a portable, low-cost, and user-friendly soil fertility testing device, incorporating NPK sensors for measuring nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) levels in the soil. The device displays the soil test results on a user-friendly interface, enabling farmers to conduct soil tests without relying on expensive laboratory equipment or expertise.
In addition, the invention features a system for analysing soil test results and recommending precise fertilizer required for optimal crop growth, ensuring that farmers apply the right type of fertilizers, reducing resource waste and promoting sustainable farming practices. The system includes a database for storing soil test results and fertilizer recommendations, enabling farmers to access historical data and monitor soil fertility trends.
The "Smart Soil Fertility Testing Device for Precision Agriculture" promotes precision agriculture and data-driven decision-making in crop and soil management. The invention empowers farmers with essential soil information for optimal crop management, bridges the technology gap for farmers in remote areas, and contributes to the global efforts towards sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and climate change mitigation. By providing a comprehensive solution for accurate soil testing and fertilizer management, the invention has the potential to significantly impact agricultural productivity, resource efficiency, and sustainable farming practices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1: Top view of Smart Soil Fertility Testing Device
Figure 2: Top-side view of Smart Soil Fertility Testing Device
Figure 3: Flowchart of working of the device
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The smart soil fertility testing device(100) comprises a housing(106), which encloses various electrical components. The housing(106) is made of a durable, yet lightweight plastic material.
The NPK sensor (102) is responsible for measuring the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) levels in the soil. It contains three pins that protrude from the device's casing, enabling connection to the NPK sensor module (101).
Within the housing(106), there is disposed a microcontroller board (103). The microcontroller board (103) is a single-board microcontroller, which includes a programmable microchip. The microcontroller board (103) is configured to receive signals from various sensors and to process and interpret the data.
An NPK sensor module (101) is disposed within the housing 106 and is connected to the microcontroller board 103. The NPK sensor module (101) comprises one or more sensors for detecting the levels of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium in the soil. The NPK sensor module (101) typically has three pins extending from the housing (106) for electrical connection to the soil.
A moisture sensor module (104) is disposed within the housing 106 and is connected to the microcontroller board (103). The moisture sensor module (104) comprises a sensor for detecting the moisture content of the soil. The moisture sensor module (104) typically has two pins extending from the housing (106) for electrical connection to the soil.
The moisture sensor (105) is designed to measure the moisture levels present in the soil. It features two pins that extend from the device case and connects to the moisture sensor module (104).
A display screen (201) is disposed on the front of the housing (106). The display screen (201) is configured to display the results of the soil test, such as the levels of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, and the moisture content of the soil. The user can interact with the touch screen to perform various functions, such as selecting a crop type or viewing historical data.
An on/off switch (205) is disposed on the housing (106). The on/off switch (205) is configured to turn the power on and off to the smart soil fertility testing device (100).
A battery (107) is disposed within the housing (106). The battery compartment (107) is configured to hold a battery (107), which supplies power to the microcontroller board (103), the sensors, and the display screen (201).
Figure (200) presents a top-side view of the Smart Soil Fertility Testing Device, revealing its user interface and various components. This view encompasses a screen (201) integrated into the plastic case (202), and the protruding pins of the NPK sensor (203) and moisture sensor (204) with a ON/OFF switch(205).
The screen (201) is a central component of the Smart Soil Fertility Testing Device, as it displays the results of the soil test, including the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) values, as well as the moisture content in the soil. These values determine the fertility of the soil, which is essential information for farmers when selecting the most suitable crop and fertilizer for precise agriculture practices. The user-friendly interface ensures that even individuals without advanced technical knowledge can easily interpret the results and make informed decisions regarding crop management.
The plastic case (202) houses the primary components of the Smart Soil Fertility Testing Device, including the microcontroller board, modules, NPK sensor, moisture sensor, battery, and other required parts. The case is designed to provide durability and quality strength, ensuring the device's longevity and protection against potential damage. Situated on the top of the plastic case is the screen (201), which displays the soil test results, allowing users to access crucial information about their soil's fertility and moisture content for precise agriculture farming.
The NPK sensor pins (203) are a crucial part of the Smart Soil Fertility Testing Device, as they obtain the NPK values from the soil and transmit them to the microcontroller board for processing and display on the screen (201). These values are essential for determining the fertility of the soil, enabling farmers to make informed decisions regarding crop selection and fertilizer application.
The moisture sensor pins (204) are responsible for measuring the moisture content in the soil and transmitting this information to the microcontroller board for processing and display on the screen (201). The moisture values are displayed alongside the NPK values, providing a comprehensive overview of the soil's fertility. This information is invaluable for farmers, as it helps them determine the ideal moisture levels for specific crops and optimize their irrigation practices for precise agriculture farming.
The ON/OFF switch(205) is responsible for the interrupting or completing the electrical circuit. In the "on" position, it allows electricity to flow through, activating the device. In the "off" position, it breaks the circuit, stopping the flow of electricity and deactivating the device.
Flowchart (300) shows a flowchart to be a block diagram of a crop recommendation system. It takes into account several input values including:
• Nitrogen levels in the soil
• Phosphorous levels in the soil
• Potassium levels in the soil
• Moisture content in the soil
• Rainfall data
• Area of land
Once this data is input, the system(300) presumably uses it to calculate the appropriate crop to plant and the recommended fertilizer for that crop.
1. The system takes in a number of input values.
2. The system processes these values.
3. Based on the processed values, the system recommends a crop.
4. The system also recommends a fertilizer based on the chosen crop.
This type of system could be useful for farmers who want to improve their crop yields. By taking into account the specific conditions of their land, they can choose crops that are more likely to thrive and select the right fertilizer to meet the needs of those crops.
Dated this 13th Day of April 2024
Signature:
Name: Dayalbagh Educational Institute
, Claims:1. A Smart Soil Fertility Testing Device for Precision Agriculture consists of:
• NPK sensor (102) for measuring nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content in soil;
• A moisture sensor (105) for determining soil moisture levels;
• A microcontroller (103) for data processing and analysis;
• A display screen (201) for presenting soil test results;
• A housing (106) & enclosing case (202) said components;
• A power source (107), and an on/off switch (205) for device operation,
• A system (300) to recommend Crop and fertilizer
Characterized in that,
The device measures NPK levels by NPK sensor (102) and soil moisture by Moisture Sensor (105), transmitting data to a system (300), users input rainfall, land area, and soil data and the system predicts suitable crops and fertilizer based on the collected data, aiding in optimized agricultural decisions for the specific soil conditions.
2. A method for Precision Agriculture utilizing the Smart Soil Fertility Testing Device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the NPK sensor (102) utilize capacitive sensing technology for accurate measurement of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels in soil.
3. A method for Precision Agriculture utilizing the Smart Soil Fertility Testing Device (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a moisture sensor (105) module interfaced with the microcontroller (103) to provide real-time soil moisture readings, wherein said moisture readings are used to adjust fertilizer recommendations.
4. A method for Precision Agriculture utilizing the Smart Soil Fertility Testing Device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the NPK sensor module (101) employs calibration algorithms to translate sensor readings into quantitative measurements of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium concentrations in soil.
5. A method for Precision Agriculture utilizing the Smart Soil Fertility Testing Device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Moisture sensor module (104) employs calibration algorithms to translate sensor readings into quantitative measurements of moisture concentrations in soil.
6. A method for Precision Agriculture utilizing the Smart Soil Fertility Testing Device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display screen (201) presents soil nutrient levels, moisture content, and fertilizer recommendations based on the measured data.
7. A method for Precision Agriculture utilizing the Smart Soil Fertility Testing Device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is equipped with a rechargeable battery (107) for prolonged usage in remote agricultural areas.
8. A method for Precision Agriculture utilizing the Smart Soil Fertility Testing Device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing (106) and enclosing case (202) is designed to be rugged and weather-resistant for use in various agricultural environments.