When Crops Meet Code: A Meta-Review of Arduino-Driven Irrigation Systems

This meta-analysis critically examines over 50 studies on Arduino-driven automated irrigation systems, highlighting their potential to enhance water use efficiency and crop yields, particularly in the context of sustainable agriculture. The analysis reveals that Arduino-based systems consistently achieved water savings ranging from 30% to 60% compared to traditional irrigation methods, while crop yields improved by 15% to 25%. Key techniques involved real-time soil moisture monitoring, automated water delivery using soil moisture thresholds, and integration of environmental sensors (temperature, humidity, rainfall) to optimize irrigation schedules. Remote access area utilizing GSM, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth modules was implemented in 66% of the reviewed systems, enabling enhanced monitoring and control. Additionally, 44% of the studies employed solar photovoltaic modules for sustainable power supply, ensuring off-grid operability. The discussion identifies typical hardware configurations, evaluates the applicability of these systems in diverse farm settings, and assesses the role of sensor accuracy and system calibration in driving performance. The analysis also highlights key challenges, including sensor calibration complexity, system scalability, and cost considerations, and proposes directions for future research and technological refinement.