International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 10 Issue: 05 | May 2023 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
© 2023, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 8.226 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 1266
Automated Aeroponic Farming
Ishita Singh
1
, Shreya Sinha
2
, Palak Singh
3
, Santosh Dubey
4
(Asst. Prof.)
1,2,3
B.Tech., Dept. of Electronics & Communication Engr., United College of Engr. & Research, U.P., India
4
Asst. Prof., Dept. of Electronics & Communication Engr., United College of Engr. & Research, U.P., India
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Abstract - Aeroponic farming offers numerous advantages
over traditional farming, focusing on enhancing agricultural
efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. This
innovative approach involves the utilization of an automatic
system to closely monitor plant growth. The automated
aeroponic system operates on the principles of the Internet of
Things (IoT). Temperature measurements of the root chamber
and the required light intensity for the shoot system are
captured using sensors. Actuators are managed by a control
system. The sensor data is transmitted through the internet to
a server, enabling convenient monitoring for users. The
system's prototype has been successfully implemented, and it
effectively provides access to all sensor data on the cloud.
Key Words: Aeroponics, growing chamber, monitoring
system, control system, sensors
1. INTRODUCTION
Aeroponics is an innovative technique used in both research
and commercial crop production, where plant roots are
suspended in the air and periodically sprayed with a nutrient
solution. This method offers numerous advantages over
traditional agriculture, including reduced water and nutrient
consumption, enhanced growth rate, increased plant density,
and improved irrigation system quality.
It is crucial to continuously monitor the consumption and
level of the nutrient solution, as well as ensure the proper
functioning of pumps. Failure to do so could lead to crop loss
due to insufficient nutrient supply. Therefore, effective data
transmission is of utmost importance in the monitoring and
control of aeroponic growing chambers.
This paper presents an alternative approach that utilizes
sensors and Wi-Fi technology for monitoring and controlling
aeroponic systems. By implementing this method, it becomes
easier to remotely monitor and manage aeroponic systems
from any location, reducing the risk of crop failure and
ensuring optimal plant growth.
2. Research Methodology
The base control unit microcontroller chosen for this
aeroponic system is the Node MCU. This microcontroller
offers efficient interfacing capabilities with the sensing
devices and supports Wi-Fi connectivity for seamless data
collection and transmission to the ThingSpeak portal.
The setup of the aeroponic greenhouse box includes a pump
that is connected to the box, supplying water spray through
pipes inside. This arrangement ensures the adequate delivery
of water and nutrients to the suspended plant roots.
Two types of sensors are utilized in this system. The first is
the DS18B20 temperature sensor, which is water-resistant
and measures the ambient temperature in the surrounding
environment. This data provides crucial information about
the temperature conditions within the aeroponic setup.
The second sensor employed is the LDR (Light Dependent
Resistor) sensor, which measures the intensity of light in lux.
This sensor enables monitoring the amount of light received
by the plants, which is crucial for their growth and
development.
The Node MCU microcontroller gathers the data from both
the temperature sensor and the LDR sensor. It then transfers
these data points to the ThingSpeak portal through its Wi-Fi
capabilities. This allows for centralized storage and
monitoring of the collected data, providing valuable insights
for analysis and control of the aeroponic system.
3. Components/ Software Used
3.1 ESP8266
The ESP8266 is an affordable Wi-Fi chip developed by
Espressif Systems. It can be used as a standalone device or as
a UART to Wi-Fi adaptor, enabling other microcontrollers to
connect to Wi-Fi networks. For instance, it can be connected
to an Arduino board, adding Wi-Fi capabilities to the Arduino.
Its practical application is often as a standalone device.
With the ESP8266, you can control inputs and outputs
similar to an Arduino, but with added Wi-Fi capabilities. This
feature allows projects to be brought online, making it ideal
for home automation and Internet of Things (IoT)
applications. The ESP8266 has gained popularity due to
several key factors:
1. Low-cost: ESP8266 boards are available at a starting price
of $3 or even less, depending on the specific model.
2. Low-power: The ESP8266 consumes minimal power
compared to other microcontrollers and can enter deep sleep
mode to further reduce power consumption.