This study introduces AgroTec 4.0, which is a smart farming system designed to revolutionize strawberry cultivation in greenhouses through the integration of edge computing technology in the Andean region of Ecuador. The primary objective has been to enhance cultivation efficiency by comparing results from strawberry crops with and without the system, under identical greenhouse conditions. Given the low educational and economic status of local farmers, AgroTec 4.0 was engineered to be user-friendly, easy to operate, and cost-effective, empowering producers with data-driven decision-making capabilities. Key findings underscore the potential of AgroTec 4.0 and agricultural data, including a 15% increase in strawberry yield, from 5.0 kg/m² in the control greenhouse to 5.75 kg/m² with AgroTec 4.0, highlighting the system’s ability to maximize productivity. There has also been a significant 20% reduction in water usage, decreasing from 80 L/m² in the control greenhouse to 64 L/m² with the system, showcasing AgroTec 4.0’s efficiency in resource management. Furthermore, there were significant improvements in fruit quality, with an 11.8% increase in the Brix index (from 8.5 to 9.5) and a 16.7% increase in average fruit weight (from 30 to 35 g), demonstrating the system’s capacity to enhance product quality. Finally, there has been an impressive 103.03% return on investment (ROI) with AgroTec 4.0, compared to no change in ROI in the control greenhouse, emphasizing the economic value of implementing this technology. These results underscore the transformative potential of AgroTec 4.0 in precision agriculture, offering a scalable and sustainable approach for small-scale producers in Ecuador. The system’s modularity and real-time data analysis capabilities allow for flexible adaptation to various needs, providing farmers with an intuitive interface for managing crops and optimizing resource use. This study demonstrates the feasibility of leveraging agricultural data and edge computing to improve cultivation practices and enhance productivity, contributing efficiently to the sustainability of agriculture in challenging environments.

The so-called "two-step" methodology is used to determine crop evapotranspiration and consists of multiplying the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) by the crop coefficient (Kc). The operational methodology know as “Kc NDVI” (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) is based on the linear relationship between basal Kc and NDVI to obtain Kc maps using the spectral response of vegetation cover represented by NDVI derived from aerial images. In this study, the ETc of a potato crop (Solanum tuberosum L.) located in Riobamba, Ecuador, was determined. Kc was obtained using the “Kc-NDVI” methodology with aerial images in the visible and near infrared spectrum ranges. ETo was determined using three methods: lysimeters, Class A evaporation pan, and FAO Penman – Monteith; the latter was selected for the respective calculations. For validation, the results obtained from aerial images were compared with the ETc determined at ground level using the FAO method based on Kc tabulated data. Similar behavior was observed between the results of both procedures, together with agreement with the phenological information of the crop. The methodology used adequately described the ETc phenomenon from aerial images, responding appropriately to variations in the crop development cycles. Therefore, its use is recommended for this plant species and as a reference for future research on other species.

A desirable water supply in agriculture requires quantitative methods to determine crop requirements. Determination of hydric request of maize Var INIAP 102 is promising, mainly at altitudes over 2000 meters above sea level. This study analyzed three methods (lysimeter, evaporimeter tank, and empiric formula FAO) to determine Chimborazo province's hydric requirements for Var INIAP 102. Vegetative and yield variables were recorded, and the effect of different water films on the vegetative growth of maize was determined. When water was more available in the soil, the vegetative growth, yield, and pod weight per plant of maize Var INIAP 102 were higher. This study is of great importance because determining the hydric requirement of maize Var INIAP 102 was done for the first time in Chimborazo province and will support farmers in better water use for irrigation.

The efficient management of water resources using techniques that improve it uses, based on knowledge of evapotranspiration are key elements for crop production. Amongst main techniques for water management, the use of drainage lysimeter installed in the field below vegetable fields may be used to quantify the amount of water needed. The aim of this work is to design, install and calibrate a set of lysimeters for adjusting crop coefficient (Kc). In the calibration of the lysimeters, it was obtained that to induce drainage in lysimeters from one to five, an over-irrigation of 25% of the field capacity was needed, while the rest needed 50%. With lysimeters built the physical characteristic of soil could be simulated in this study.