Plant–Soil Bioelectrochemical System-Based Crop Growth Environment Monitoring System

Xiangyi Liu, Dong Wang, Han Wu, Xujun Chen, Longgang Ma and Xinqing Xiao ()
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Xiangyi Liu: College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
Dong Wang: College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
Han Wu: College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
Xujun Chen: College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
Longgang Ma: College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
Xinqing Xiao: College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-10

Abstract: This study presents the design and implementation of a crop environmental monitoring system powered by a plant–soil bioelectrochemical energy source. The system integrates a Cu–Zn electrode power unit, a boost converter, a supercapacitor-based energy management module, and a wireless sensing node for real-time monitoring of environmental parameters. Unlike conventional plant microbial fuel cells (PMFCs), the output current originates partly from the galvanic effect of Cu–Zn electrodes and is further regulated by rhizosphere conditions and microbial activity. Under the optimal external load (900 Ω), the system achieved a maximum output power of 0.477 mW, corresponding to a power density of 0.304 mW·cm −2 . Stability tests showed that with the boost converter and supercapacitor, the system maintained a stable operating voltage sufficient to power the sensing node. Soil moisture strongly influenced performance, with higher water content increasing power by about 35%. Theoretical calculations indicated that Zn corrosion alone would limit the anode lifetime to ~66 days; however, stable output during the experimental period suggests contributions from plant–microbe interactions. Overall, this work demonstrates a feasible self-powered crop monitoring system and provides new evidence for the potential of plant–soil bioelectrochemical power sources in low-power applications.

Keywords: plant–soil bioelectrochemical system; Cu–Zn electrodes; self-powered system; low-power sensor; energy Management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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