Wireless Sensor Network based Forewarning Models for Pests and Diseases in Agriculture - A Case Study on Groundnut

In Agriculture, microclimate plays an important role in the growth and outbreak of pests and diseases. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) enables the acquisition of both microclimate and macroclimate weather data from agricultural farms thereby facilitating new insights into the crop-weather dynamics in and around the crop canopy. In this paper, we present the results of an open farm deployment of WSN for the groundnut crop, with emphasis on weather based Pest and Disease Management. Having implemented two decision support advisory models for a groundnut disease, and one model for a groundnut pest, we highlight the importance of the microclimate over the macroclimate. We also discuss the cost benefit of the WSN based Advisory over the farmer's practice and other standard practices.