On March 7th, we had a meeting with the engineer in charge of the research and development department at a fruit cultivation company. During the conversation, we realized that while soil moisture is already monitored using probes, nutrient analysis is still done theoretically, based on the producers’ experience and laboratory tests that can take weeks. This can lead to mistakes, fertilizer waste, and unnecessary environmental impact.
It was highlighted that a sensor capable of measuring nutrient levels in real time, integrated into an automated irrigation system, would be an efficient solution to ensure plants receive exactly what they need, without excess. In addition, it would allow remote monitoring of crop nutritional status, reducing the need for on-site technicians.
The company showed interest in SoilSense and even suggested including data on photosynthesis, solar intensity, and wind for more complete monitoring. They also noted that real-time notifications through a mobile app would be the best way to receive alerts and irrigation confirmations.