A low-cost phenological station as a support tool for viticulture

A new prototype of phenological station is presented. It is based on the Raspberry Pi zero W single board computer for collecting and sending images via WiFi, and on the Arduino MKR WAN 1300 microcontroller to measure both air temperature and relative humidity, leaf wetness, and for sending data through the LoRaWAN protocol (Long Range and Wide Area Network). The components are soldered on a customized printed circuit board (PCB), called Raspberrino. The device also consists of a realtime clock and power management board (Witty Pi 3 Mini) to schedule ON/OFF sequences with a simple script, and finally, as an option, a photovoltaic panel, battery and voltage regulator to provide autonomous power supply. Some parts have been obtained by 3D printing. The prototype has been installed in an experimental vineyard and has met the expectations and it will be used for the creation of an experimental network, that will provide data and images, useful for a proper vineyard’s management and for the implementation of phenology models. New technologies make it possible to create innovative tools in a short time and at low cost to match an increased need for precise crop management.