Optimizing water resources for yellow chili pepper cultivation using soil moisture sensors

Zapata-Salinas G.; García-Villanueva J.; Moreno-Llacza S.; Rinza-Díaz J.; Sonco-Cutire R. · Idesia (2025) · DOI: 10.4067/0718-3429-idesia-2025-43-e25

Resumen

Climate change and increasing water scarcity represent significant challenges for sustainable agriculture. In response, the objective was to determine the efficiency of automated irrigation compared to conventional irrigation in the cultivation of yellow pepper (Capsicum baccatum). The experiment was conducted at the experimental field of the National Agrarian University of La Molina, Peru, over a period of five months (December 2023 to April 2024). A comprehensive methodology was developed, determining the irrigation depth based on optimal soil water availability and adjusting it according to each phenological stage using capacitive humidity sensors. These sensors automatically activated irrigation whenever soil moisture dropped to the critical threshold for the phenological stage. To this purpose, an automated irrigation system was designed and implemented using an Arduino Mega microcontroller, which optimized water use by regulating valve openings based on real-time moisture readings. The efficiency of the automated system was evaluated by comparing the yields of plots with conventional and automated drip irrigation. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the impact of the technology on productivity. The results indicated that the water applied in automated irrigation was 39% less than in conventional irrigation and achieved higher yields, with 16,4 tn/ha compared to 14,2 tn/ha obtained with conventional irrigation. Furthermore, water use efficiency was higher with automated irrigation, reaching 5.11 kg of product per cubic meter applied (kg/m3), compared to 2.8 kg/m3 with conventional irrigation. In conclusion, irrigation automation has increased crop yields and reduced irrigation water use. Thus, in the face of water resource depletion, this study highlights the importance of crop irrigation monitoring and automation technologies to optimize water use and improve agricultural productivity.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina