Smart Onion Storage Systems using IoT and Sensor-Based Environmental Monitoring: A Review

Sudama Kakade, Ganesh Shelke, VP Kad, Shivani Desai and Ritu Kukde

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.22816344

Onion is one of the most economically significant horticultural crops, widely consumed and traded globally. However, post-harvest losses in onion storage remain a major challenge, particularly in developing countries such as India, where traditional storage structures often result in 20–40% losses due to sprouting, rotting, microbial infection, and excessive moisture accumulation. These losses not only reduce farmer income but also disturb national market stability. In recent years, the integration of advanced technologies—especially the Internet of Things (IoT) and sensor-based monitoring systems—has emerged as a promising solution for improving onion storage efficiency. This review paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state, technological advancements, and future potential of IoT-enabled smart onion storage systems. Within this paper, principal storage conditions such as temperature, relative humidity, airflow, gas accumulation, and weight loss are examined for their critical role in maintaining onion quality and maximizing shelf life. Various sensor technologies, including temperature, humidity, CO₂, ethylene, airflow, and load sensors, are evaluated for their relevance in onion storage environments