Design of an Automated Irrigation and Lighting System for a Two-Tier Nutrient Film Technique Hydroponics

Article Details

Israel Angelo L. Alipon, mcbautista@ust.edu.ph, Electronics Engineering Department, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
Katrina Ysabel G. Espiritu, israelangelo.alipon.eng@ust.edu.ph, Electronics Engineering Department, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
Adrian Genevie G. Janairo, katrinaysabel.espiritu.eng@ust.edu.ph, Electronics Engineering Department, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
Kimberly F. Luna, adriangenevie.janairo.eng@ust.edu.ph, Electronics Engineering Department, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
Aaron Fred S. Savellano, kimberly.luna.eng@ust.edu.ph, Electronics Engineering Department, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
Mary Grace Ann C. Bautista, aaronfred.savellano.eng@ust.edu.ph, Electronics Engineering Department, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines

Journal: Journal of Computational Innovations and Engineering Applications
Volume 6 Issue 1 (Published: 2021-07-01)

Abstract

Precision agriculture strives to provide the needs of plants so they can grow with excellent health and yield. Light and nutrients are major parameters that affect plant growth. Several research on hydroponics focus on either the lighting system or the nutrient system but do not consider the correlation of both light and nutrients to plant development. In this research, a design of an automated fertigation system that monitors the photoperiod and nutrient consumption based on a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) system was observed. The PID system was used to control the conductivity and acidity of the solution by opening a solenoid valve which adds nutrients, base, acid, or water to the reservoir of the hydroponics system. The light system was controlled to run the photoperiod needed by the plant. Nutrient consumption was measured based on the electrical conductivity at the start and end of the hydroponics system. The results of the design showed that the light was set at a 16-hour photoperiod and the PID system maintained the nutrient parameters within the recommended levels with several reading deviations that were caused by the accumulation of residue, lack of air circulation, lack of water agitation, and water leveling. The plants were managed for efficient growth by monitoring parameters in the hydroponic system where stabilized nutrient consumption was observed at 0.4S/m to 0.6S/m.

Keywords: Fertigation system, Hydroponics, Photoperiod, PID, Precision agriculture

DOI: https://www.dlsu.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/pdf/research/journals/jciea/vol-6-1/4alipon.pdf
  References:

[1] T. Namgyel, C. Khunarak, S. Siyang, T. Pobkrut, J. Norbu and T. Kerdcharoen, “Effects of Supplementary LED Light on the Growth of Lettuce in a Smart Hydroponic System,” 2018 10th International Conference on Knowledge and Smart Technology (KST), Chiang Mai, pp. 216-220, 2018.

[2] C. Pornillos, M. Billones, J. Leonidas, E. Reyes, B. Esguerra, D. Bolima, and R. Concepcion II, “Smart Irrigation Control System Using Wireless Sensor Network via Internet-OfThings”, 2020 IEEE 12th International Conference on Humanoid, Nanotechnology, Information Technology, Communication and Control, Environment, and Management (HNICEM), p. 1-6, 2020

[3] A. Koukounaras, “Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture: New Technologies and Cultivation Practices”, Horticulturae 2021, Vol. 7, No. 1, 2021. Available: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ horticulturae7010001

[4] D. Siswanto, and W. Widoretno, “Design and Construction of a Vertical Hydroponic System with Semi-Continuous and Continuous Nutrient Cycling”, 8th International Conference on Global Resource Conservation, AIP Conference Proceedings 1908, 2007. Available: https://doi. org/10.1063/1.5012715

[5] M. Pabiania F. Caluyo and N. Linsangan, “Wireless Data Acquisition and pH and Conductivity Levels Prediction using Genetic Algorithm for Hydroponics”, Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering and Computer Science, San Francisco, Vol. 1, 2011. Available: http://www.iaeng. org/publication/WCECS2011/WCECS2011_pp23-28.pdf. [Accessed 9 March 2019].

[6] J. Carandang VI, E. Busayong, E. Punzalan, R. Taylor, J. Carandang, J. Janairo and F. Co, “Comparative Analysis on Lettuce Quality Produced from Urban Agriculture and Organic Farming”, Manila Journal of Science, 9, p. 136-147, 2016.

[7] A. Bracino, R. Concepcion II, E. Dadios, and R. Vicerra, “Biofiltration for Recirculating Aquaponic Systems: A Review”, 2020 IEEE 12th International Conference on Humanoid, Nanotechnology, Information Technology, Communication and Control, Environment, and Management (HNICEM), p. 1-6, 2020.

[8] V. Palande, A. Zaheer and K. George, “Fully Automated Hydroponic System for Indoor Plant Growth”, 2017 International Conference on Identification, Information and Knowledge in the Internet of Things, Procedia Computer Science, Vol. 129, p. 482-488, 2018.

[9] S. Tagle, H. Benoza, R. Pena and A. Oblea, “Development of an Indoor Hydroponic Tower for Urban Farming”, Presented at the 6th DLSU Innovation and Technology Fair, p. 1-7, 2018. Available: https://www.dlsu.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/ pdf/conferences/ditech/proceedings/volume-3/paper-10.pdf. [Accessed 4 March 2019].

[10] Iswanto, P. Megantoro, and A. Ma’arif, “Nutrient Film Technique for Automatic Hydroponic System Based on Arduino”, 2020 2nd International Conference on Industrial Electrical and Electronics”, 2020 2nd International Conference on Industrial Electrical and Electronics (ICIEE), p. 84-86, 2020.

[11] P. Sihombing, N. Karina, J. Tarigan and M. Syarif, “Automated Hydroponics Nutrition Plants Systems using Arduino Uno Microcontroller Based on Android”, 2nd International Conference on Computing and Applied Informatics 2017, Journal of Physics: Conference Series, Vol. 978, 2018. [Accessed 4 March 2019].

[12] R. Concepcion II, J. De Guia, S. Lauguico, E. Dadios, J. Alejandrino, and A. Bandala, “Aquaphotomics Determination of Total Organic Carbon and Hydrogen Biomarkers on Aquaponic Pond Water and Concentration Prediction Using Genetic Programming”, 2020 IEEE 8th R10 Humanitarian Technology Conference, p. 1-6, 2020.

[13] J. Jaimes-Ponce, J. Liceaga-Castro, R. Alcántara-Ramírez, and I. Siller-Alcalá, “Electrical Conductivity and Water Flow Control of a NFT System”, International Journal of Circuits, Systems and Signal Processing, Issue 2, Vol. 7, p. 134-141, 2013.

[14] S. Adhau, R. Surwase, and K. H. Kowdiki, “Design of Fully Automated Low Cost Hydroponic System using Labview and AVR Microcontroller,” 2017 IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Techniques in Control, Optimization and Signal Processing (INCOS), 2017.

[15] I. Valenzuela, R. Baldovino, A. Bandala and E. Dadios, “Pre-Harvest Factors Optimization using Genetic Algorithm for Lettuce”, Journal of Telecommunication, Electronic and Computer Engineering, vol. 10, no. 1-4, 2019. Available: http://journal.utem.edu.my/index.php/jtec/article/view/3610. [Accessed 4 March 2019].

[16] A. Acosta and S. Prado, Feedback and Control Systems Laboratory (ECE 511L), [Accessed:March2020].

[17] K. Ang, G. Chong and Y. Li, “PID control system analysis, design, and technology”, IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology, Vol. 13, Issue 4, p.559-576, 2005.

[18] PrachiRusia, “Digital Implementation of PID Controller for Temperature Control”, International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Vol. 8, No. 5, 2017.

[19] J. Brown, “Light in the Greenhouse: How much is Enough?,” CropKing Commercial Hydroponic Systems, Ohio, 2006. Available: https://www.cropking.com/blog/light-greenhousehow-much-enough. [Accessed: 06-May-2020].

  Cited by:
     None...