Wireless sensor networks in agricultural applications (field studies)

If plants are to grow to their full potential in greenhouses, precise climate control is required to reduce running costs. In the past over 90 percent of their total enery consumption went just on heating. By precisely setting the optimum climate for each type of plant and vegetable in the greenhouse, they will grow faster and better. Gardeners need to monitor and to control air temperature and humidity, and many other factors at various points in order to maximise operating profit. The Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems (Fraunhofer IMS) have set up a wireless sensor network at a test site near Duisburg, Germany, to do precisely this.