Development and Field Validation of a Low-cost Georeferenced Datalogger for Multiparameter Soil Sensing

Abstract

Background: Monitoring soil properties such as moisture, temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, and nutrient availability is essential for agricultural management and environmental studies. However, many soil monitoring systems remain expensive or require complex instrumentation, limiting their accessibility for routine field measurements. Methods: In this study, a low-cost georeferenced datalogger was developed using an Arduino Mega 2560 platform integrated with a multiparameter soil sensor capable of measuring soil moisture, temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, and estimated concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The system also incorporates a GPS module for geospatial positioning and a microSD module for data storage. Field validation tests were conducted under contrasting environmental conditions across several regions of central and eastern Mexico. Results: The device was transported approximately 900 km under real road conditions and operated continuously without signal instability or hardware malfunction. A total of 35 measurement points were collected across tropical lowlands, coastal environments, and montane cloud forest ecosystems. The measured ranges of soil variables were consistent with values reported in previous studies, demonstrating the operational stability and functionality of the system. Conclusion: The proposed system provides a reliable and portable solution for georeferenced soil monitoring. Its low-cost design, ease of operation, and stable performance under diverse environmental conditions highlight its potential as a practical tool for field measurements, environmental monitoring, and precision agriculture applications.