Paper · 2026 · BMC Agriculture

Field evaluation of sensor-driven drip irrigation systems for eggplant production

Khokan Kumer Sarker; Nazmun Nahar Karim; AFM Tariqul Islam; et al.

15
claims
29
verbatim quotes
1
citations
2
research areas
✓
Open access · cc-by-nc-nd

Abstract

Sensor-based precision agriculture (PA) is still relatively new in Bangladesh, and field circumstances have not yet been fully examined for its potential. The traditional agriculture practices often fluctuate due to the imbalanced use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides in production practices. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the IoT-enabled sensor-based drip irrigation for saving water and fertilizers (urea, N and potash, K), and assess the financial analysis for eggplant production. The IoT-enabled sensor-based automated precision irrigation system (T1) was developed and compared with BARI-recommended practices (T2), drip fertigation (T3), and traditional farmers’ practices (T4) for eggplant production. The data on the soil water content, irrigation water, fertilizers and pesticides, fruit yield, and yield contributing characters of eggplant were recorded. Nutrient use efficiency (NUEN, K), water use efficiency (WUE), and benefit cost ratio (BCR) were also estimated for financial profitability and the feasibility of the IoT-based automated eggplant production. The results indicated that the treatment T1 produced (30.99 t/ha) nearly similar yields of T3 (31.73 t/ha), both of which were greater than T4 (30.08 t/ha), while using less water and fertilizers (N and K) than T4. T1 improved yield by 3%, saved 63% water, and enhanced 172.7% water use efficiency more than T4 without compromising yield. Nutrient use efficiency (NUEN, K) was also increased in T1 by 106.9% and 118%, respectively, more than in T4. T1 saved 50% urea and 53% potassium compared to T4. Over the gross costs, BCR was initially lower in T1 than in T4 during the first crop cycle. Considering variable costs, BCR was greater in T1 and T3 than in T4 due to reduced labor, irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticide expenses. The research reveals that an IoT-enabled sensor-based automatic drip irrigation system is an alternative and creative option for eggplant production. This system has the potential to increase yield, enhance the efficiency of water and fertilizer use (urea and potash), and encourage sustainable practices across the country using sensors. Internet of Things (IoT) based automatic drip irrigation and fertigation system improves irrigation water and fertilizer use efficiency without reduction in yield. Marketable fruits yield of eggplant is greater in IoT system than traditional practice although traditional practices use greater fertilizer, water and pesticides. IoT-based automated approach improves efficiency in irrigation water (63%), fertilizers (50%), pesticides (53%), and labors (33%) compared to traditional farming methods. Nutrient (N, K) use efficiency is greater in IoT system than traditional crop production practices. The IoT system is profitable based on variable costs compared to traditional practices.

Abstract from the paper’s OpenAlex record; open copy licensed cc-by-nc-nd. Read at the source ↗

The text the model read, with the source record’s inline markup (italics, sub- and superscripts) rendered and its character entities decoded; quote offsets refer to the raw text.

Claims 15

Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultno effectmeasured

Claim · model-written summary

T1 produced eggplant yield (30.99 t/ha) nearly similar to T3 (31.73 t/ha).

Taxon
eggplantSolanum melongenat0
Treatment
T1e0
Outcome
yieldse0
Direction
nearly similare0
Value
30.99 t/hae0
Qualifier
31.73 t/hae0
Comparator
T3e0

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Solanum melongena
Solanum melongena · TaxonBeraDigle · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗

Verbatim

e0

“the treatment T1 produced (30.99 t/ha) nearly similar yields of T3 (31.73 t/ha), both of which were greater than T4 (30.08 t/ha)”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1143–1271 · show in text ↑
t0

“eggplant”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 62–70 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

T1 improved eggplant yield by 3% relative to T4.

Taxon
eggplantSolanum melongenat0
Treatment
T1e0
Outcome
yielde0
Direction
improvede0
Value
3%e0
Comparator
T4e0

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Solanum melongena
Solanum melongena · TaxonBeraDigle · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗

Verbatim

e0

“T1 improved yield by 3%, saved 63% water, and enhanced 172.7% water use efficiency more than T4”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1331–1426 · show in text ↑
t0

“eggplant”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 62–70 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

T3 eggplant yield (31.73 t/ha) was greater than T4 (30.08 t/ha).

Taxon
eggplantSolanum melongenat0
Treatment
T3e0
Outcome
yieldse0
Direction
greatere0
Value
31.73 t/hae0
Qualifier
30.08 t/hae0
Comparator
T4e0

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Solanum melongena
Solanum melongena · TaxonBeraDigle · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗

Verbatim

e0

“the treatment T1 produced (30.99 t/ha) nearly similar yields of T3 (31.73 t/ha), both of which were greater than T4 (30.08 t/ha)”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1143–1271 · show in text ↑
t0

“eggplant”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 62–70 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

T1 saved 63% water compared with T4.

Taxon
eggplantSolanum melongenat0
Treatment
T1e0
Outcome
watere0
Direction
savede0
Value
63%e0
Comparator
T4e0

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Solanum melongena
Solanum melongena · TaxonBeraDigle · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗

Verbatim

e0

“T1 improved yield by 3%, saved 63% water, and enhanced 172.7% water use efficiency more than T4”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1331–1426 · show in text ↑
t0

“eggplant”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 62–70 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

T1 enhanced water use efficiency by 172.7% relative to T4.

Taxon
eggplantSolanum melongenat0
Treatment
T1e0
Outcome
water use efficiencye0
Direction
enhancede0
Value
172.7%e0
Comparator
T4e0

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Solanum melongena
Solanum melongena · TaxonBeraDigle · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗

Verbatim

e0

“T1 improved yield by 3%, saved 63% water, and enhanced 172.7% water use efficiency more than T4”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1331–1426 · show in text ↑
t0

“eggplant”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 62–70 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

Nitrogen use efficiency (NUEN) was increased by 106.9% in T1 relative to T4.

Taxon
eggplantSolanum melongenat0
Treatment
T1e0
Outcome
Nutrient use efficiencye0
Direction
increasede0
Value
106.9%e0
Qualifier
NUENe0
Comparator
T4e0

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Solanum melongena
Solanum melongena · TaxonBeraDigle · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗

Verbatim

e0

“Nutrient use efficiency (NUEN, K) was also increased in T1 by 106.9% and 118%, respectively, more than in T4”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1455–1563 · show in text ↑
t0

“eggplant”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 62–70 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

Potassium use efficiency was increased by 118% in T1 relative to T4.

Taxon
eggplantSolanum melongenat0
Treatment
T1e0
Outcome
Nutrient use efficiencye0
Direction
increasede0
Value
118%e0
Qualifier
Ke0
Comparator
T4e0

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Solanum melongena
Solanum melongena · TaxonBeraDigle · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗

Verbatim

e0

“Nutrient use efficiency (NUEN, K) was also increased in T1 by 106.9% and 118%, respectively, more than in T4”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1455–1563 · show in text ↑
t0

“eggplant”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 62–70 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

T1 saved 50% urea compared with T4.

Taxon
eggplantSolanum melongenat0
Treatment
T1e0
Outcome
ureae0
Direction
savede0
Value
50%e0
Comparator
T4e0

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Solanum melongena
Solanum melongena · TaxonBeraDigle · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗

Verbatim

e0

“T1 saved 50% urea and 53% potassium compared to T4”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1565–1615 · show in text ↑
t0

“eggplant”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 62–70 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

T1 saved 53% potassium compared with T4.

Taxon
eggplantSolanum melongenat0
Treatment
T1e0
Outcome
potassiume0
Direction
savede0
Value
53%e0
Comparator
T4e0

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Solanum melongena
Solanum melongena · TaxonBeraDigle · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗

Verbatim

e0

“T1 saved 50% urea and 53% potassium compared to T4”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1565–1615 · show in text ↑
t0

“eggplant”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 62–70 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultnegativemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

Over gross costs, BCR was initially lower in T1 than in T4 during the first crop cycle.

Taxon
eggplantSolanum melongenat0
Treatment
T1e0
Outcome
BCRe0
Direction
lowere0
Qualifier
Over the gross costse0
Comparator
T4e0

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Solanum melongena
Solanum melongena · TaxonBeraDigle · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗

Verbatim

e0

“Over the gross costs, BCR was initially lower in T1 than in T4 during the first crop cycle”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1617–1707 · show in text ↑
t0

“eggplant”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 62–70 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

Considering variable costs, BCR was greater in T1 than in T4 due to reduced labor, irrigation, fertilizer and pesticide expenses.

Taxon
eggplantSolanum melongenat0
Treatment
T1e0
Outcome
BCRe0
Direction
greatere0
Qualifier
Considering variable costse0
Comparator
T4e0

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Solanum melongena
Solanum melongena · TaxonBeraDigle · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗

Verbatim

e0

“Considering variable costs, BCR was greater in T1 and T3 than in T4 due to reduced labor, irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticide expenses”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1709–1845 · show in text ↑
t0

“eggplant”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 62–70 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

Considering variable costs, BCR was greater in T3 than in T4 due to reduced labor, irrigation, fertilizer and pesticide expenses.

Taxon
eggplantSolanum melongenat0
Treatment
T3e0
Outcome
BCRe0
Direction
greatere0
Qualifier
Considering variable costse0
Comparator
T4e0

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Solanum melongena
Solanum melongena · TaxonBeraDigle · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗

Verbatim

e0

“Considering variable costs, BCR was greater in T1 and T3 than in T4 due to reduced labor, irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticide expenses”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1709–1845 · show in text ↑
t0

“eggplant”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 62–70 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

The IoT-based automated approach improved pesticide efficiency by 53% compared with traditional farming methods.

Taxon
eggplantSolanum melongenat0
Treatment
IoT-based automated approache0
Outcome
pesticidese0
Direction
improvese0
Value
53%e0
Comparator
traditional farming methodse0

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Solanum melongena
Solanum melongena · TaxonBeraDigle · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗

Verbatim

e0

“IoT-based automated approach improves efficiency in irrigation water (63%), fertilizers (50%), pesticides (53%), and labors (33%) compared to traditional farming methods”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 2514–2683 · show in text ↑
t0

“eggplant”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 62–70 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

The IoT-based automated approach improved labor efficiency by 33% compared with traditional farming methods.

Taxon
eggplantSolanum melongenat0
Treatment
IoT-based automated approache0
Outcome
laborse0
Direction
improvese0
Value
33%e0
Comparator
traditional farming methodse0

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Solanum melongena
Solanum melongena · TaxonBeraDigle · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗

Verbatim

e0

“IoT-based automated approach improves efficiency in irrigation water (63%), fertilizers (50%), pesticides (53%), and labors (33%) compared to traditional farming methods”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 2514–2683 · show in text ↑
t0

“eggplant”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 62–70 · show in text ↑
Recommendationauthor interpretationoriginal resultpositivebasis n/a

Claim · model-written summary

The authors conclude that an IoT-enabled sensor-based automatic drip irrigation system is an alternative and creative option for eggplant production.

Taxon
eggplantSolanum melongenae0
Outcome
alternative and creative option for eggplant productione0

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Solanum melongena
Solanum melongena · TaxonBeraDigle · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗

Verbatim

e0

“an IoT-enabled sensor-based automatic drip irrigation system is an alternative and creative option for eggplant production”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1873–1995 · show in text ↑