Soil moisture prototype soil moisture sensor YL-69 for Gaharu (Aquilaria malaccensis) tree planting media

Abstract

Soil moisture, defined as the amount of water present in the spaces between soil particles, plays a critical role in plant growth. Excessive soil moisture can lead to issues such as root rot, deviating from the ideal conditions required for root absorption. To address this, we developed a prototype tool using the YL-69 soil moisture sensor to monitor and control the soil moisture levels in Agarwood/Gaharu tree planting media. The prototype was designed to activate a water pump when soil moisture exceeded 80%, ensuring optimal humidity for plant growth. Once the moisture level dropped below 80%, the pump was deactivated to prevent overwatering. The YL-69 sensor demonstrated an accuracy of 88.76% under controlled conditions. This study highlights the potential of using low-cost sensors for automated soil moisture management in small-scale Gaharu cultivation.