The development of wireless sensor networks opens the possibility to extend spatial information with
temporal information for precise decision support in agriculture. Possibilities of measuring the
microclimate in a potato crop for a new generation Phytophthora control system are investigated.
Experiments are carried out with mica2dot nodes to study the propagation of radio waves in a crop
canopy. An architecture is developed to collect sensor data in agricultural fields for use in decision
support systems.
Results on propagation showed that a dry, full developed crop canopy limits the distance that radio’s
can cover to around 11 meters when placed near the soil surface. Wet conditions improve
propagation. A number of 140 nodes collect data on temperature and relative humidity in a potato
crop. This information is forwarded by an energy efficient protocol to a gateway at the side of the
field. From there it is forewarded to a data warehouse and a decision support system. It is shown that
principles of the ISO11783 standard can be used for both infield wireless communication and for
data exchange between the field and the decision support systems.
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