Agriaerox: Drone Based Soil and Air Quality Tester

Abstract

Access to accurate soil and environmental data is essential for sustainable and data-driven agriculture. This project introduces AGRIAEROX, a drone-based soil testing and environmental monitoring system designed to automate field assessment and reduce the need for labor-intensive manual sampling. The system integrates an ESP32 microcontroller with a soil moisture sensor, a DHT11 module for temperature and humidity measurement, and an MQ135 sensor for detecting air quality indicators such as CO₂ and volatile compounds. Mounted on a lightweight UAV platform, the drone can navigate across large or difficult-to-reach areas, collecting data from multiple points with consistent precision. All sensor readings are transmitted wirelessly to a base station, where they are displayed in real time and logged for further analysis. This allows farmers and field managers to track spatial variations in soil and atmospheric conditions, detect potential issues early, and make informed decisions regarding irrigation, fertilization, and crop health management. Preliminary testing demonstrates stable communication, reliable sensor performance, and strong potential for large-scale deployment. Overall, AGRIAEROX represents a cost-effective, scalable, and efficient solution for advancing precision agriculture and environmental monitoring.