LOW-COST SENSORS AND WATER AVAILABILITY IN ARUGULA CULTIVATION

Abstract

Vegetable crops, being highly sensitive to soil water deficits or excesses, require precise water management to ensure productivity and quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate low-cost soil moisture sensors (HW80, HW390, and HD38) and water replenishment levels (50, 70, and 90% of field capacity) for arugula. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at IFRO, São Miguel do Guaporé Campus, using a randomized block design in a 3x3 factorial arrangement with four replications. Drip irrigation was automated via an Arduino microcontroller. Morphological variables, shoot fresh and dry mass, plant water content, and root length were evaluated. Plant height and the number of leaves were not influenced by the factors. Leaf water content showed a quadratic response to soil moisture, peaking at 91.84% at 65.46% water availability. Regarding shoot fresh and dry mass production, there was an interaction between the factors, with the highest averages observed using the HW80 sensor at 70% and 90% water availability. The HW80 sensor also resulted in a 65.6% increase in root length.