Desenvolvimento de aplicação para dispositivos móveis e aplicação web para o cálculo e coleta de dados relacionados a Avaliação Visual da Estrutura do Solo (VESS)

Abstract

The soil constitutes a fundamental element for ecosystems and agricultural production, yet it faces various degradation processes, such as compaction, that compromise its quality and productivity. In this context, the VESS methodology emerges as a practical alternative for the visual evaluation of soil structure, offering greater accessibility compared to conventional laboratory methods. Thus, the development of mobile and web applications to support the implementation of VESS was justified, providing faster, more intuitive, and field-applicable evaluations. This work aimed to create these applications to enable the collection, storage, and analysis of soil structural data, as well as to standardize the application of the method in the field. The tool guided the user through each step of the VESS protocol, from the photographic recording and capture of the sample’s geographic coordinates, to the notation of each soil layer’s characteristics and the assignment of structural quality (Sq) scores, ensuring systematic and replicable data collection. The technical approach involved developing the application using Kotlin Multiplatform, enabling shared logic across mobile and web platforms. The API developed in the REST standard, was built with Spring Boot and Kotlin. Data storage was handled by a PostgreSQL database, a relational Database Management System that uses SQL for data manipulation. The achieved results included the implementation of a functional system capable of recording structural evaluations at different soil depths, generating analytical histories, and facilitating data sharing among researchers. It is concluded that the integration of technology and scientific practices contributes to democratizing access to soil quality evaluation, promoting more sustainable, efficient, and field-adapted agricultural practices.