Electronic-Free Wireless Sensors for Subsoil Moisture and Microbial Activity Monitoring

The soil microbiome plays a crucial role in promoting soil health and enhancing nutrient availability, which is essential for conservation-focused regenerative agricultural systems. These systems aim to maximize agricultural production and profitability while minimizing environmental impact. To support this goal, there is an urgent need for in-situ sensor technologies that allow farmers to evaluate the effects of regenerative practices on soil microbiome health and moisture reserves in real time.
To meet this need, we have developed a series of innovative, electronic-free wireless and degradable sensors capable of monitoring subsoil moisture and microbial activity without requiring batteries or energy storage. These passive sensors are designed for easy deployment across agricultural fields, enabling continuous and distributed monitoring.
In this presentation, I will discuss our latest advancements in remote subsoil moisture and microbial activity monitoring, as well as our roadmap for scaling up manufacturing and implementing wide-area distribution. This work is especially relevant for assessing soil heterogeneity and health across agricultural fields in Indiana.