Smart Greenhouse IoT System: A Breakthrough in Crop Cultivation

By Soham NandiReviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc.Nov 1 2023

In an article published in the journal PloS One, the authors focused on the development and implementation of a smart greenhouse system, which integrated IoT technologies, a local web interface, and an Android mobile application.

Background

Modern agriculture faces growing challenges, including resource inefficiencies and environmental concerns. The emergence of smart greenhouses and the IoT offers promising solutions to these problems. Smart greenhouses optimize resource use, enhance crop productivity, and promote sustainability through IoT technologies.

While previous research has explored smart greenhouse systems and their specific components, there are notable gaps. Most studies have focused on specific aspects of smart greenhouses, like environmental optimization and irrigation management. Only a few have taken a comprehensive approach that addresses various interconnected components.

The present study bridges these gaps by taking a holistic approach to smart greenhouse technology. It presents the first complete smart greenhouse IoT solution designed for Brassica Juncea, a common mustard variety in Vietnam.

In this multi-year project, a smart greenhouse dedicated to cultivating Brassica Juncea was designed, integrating automation and precise growth parameter fine-tuning. The researchers not only focused on the physical infrastructure but also introduced user-friendly Android mobile interfaces for real-time control. These tools allow users to monitor and control the greenhouse in real time, empowering informed decision-making in crop management.

Construction and Software Design

The smart greenhouse had an irrigation control system, and the steps involved in building the greenhouse are as follows:

• Irrigation Control System:
  • This system was a comprehensive solution for managing irrigation within a smart greenhouse.
  • It integrated various modules, including weather, soil moisture, beds, tanks, valves, water pumps, crops, energy, fertilizer, and user information.
  • These modules collected data and optimized irrigation based on factors like weather conditions, soil moisture, and plant types.
  • The "auto" function adjusted irrigation based on weather data and optimizes energy usage.
  • The "manual" function enabled user intervention for maintenance or technical issues.
• Construction of the Smart Greenhouse:
  • Construction involved the physical structure, sensor networks, automation systems, data analytics, connectivity infrastructure, energy management, user interfaces, and security measures.
  • Structural design prioritized optimal space, lighting, and environmental control.
  • Sensor networks gathered real-time data on parameters such as temperature,
    humidity, and soil moisture.
  • Automation systems oversaw temperature, ventilation, shading, irrigation, and fertilization.
  • Data analytics processed sensor data for informed decision-making.
  • Connectivity infrastructure facilitated remote monitoring and control.
  • Renewable energy sources, like solar panels, provide power.
  • User-friendly interfaces allowed seamless interaction with the system.
•  Steps for building a Smart Greenhouse:
  • The construction process began with excavating foundation pits and using galvanized steel boxes for structural support.
  • Greenhouse columns were constructed using galvanized steel boxes and secured to the foundation with bolts and nuts.
  • An insect net made of High-Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE) plastic mesh was installed to prevent harmful insects from entering the greenhouse.
  • The central dome of the greenhouse was constructed with bent galvanized box steel, designed for optimal weight distribution and airflow.
  • A wide door was strategically positioned for easy access, considering workflow and accessibility.
•  Essential Devices for the Watering System:
  • Water pumps, water tanks, fertilizer parts, electromagnetic valves, drip irrigation heads, solar panels, a universal DC-AC converter, deep discharge batteries, and a control box were the essential components of the watering system.
  • Water pumps delivered water, create mist, and distribute fertilizer, while water tanks provided a substantial water supply for irrigation.
  • Fertilizer parts included a Venturi injector, and electromagnetic valves regulated liquid flow.
  • Drip irrigation heads ensured consistent water distribution, and solar panels harnessed
    solar energy for electricity.
  • The universal DC-AC converter managed power supply and charging.
  • Deep discharge batteries stored and provided energy.
  • The control box centralized device management.
• Software Framework Used:
  • Web Services enabled data exchange between applications, including SOAP and RESTful web services.
  • PHP, a server-side scripting language, was utilized for web applications due to its speed and vast library of scripts and frameworks.
  • The Laravel Framework is an open-source PHP framework following the Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern for modular development.
  • Android applications were built using Java source code and Extensible Markup Language (XML)-based user interfaces, with components like activities and services.
• Essential Hardware and IoT Devices:
  • Key hardware components included ultrasonic distance sensors, relay soil moisture sensors, current sensors, digital humidity and temperature sensors, Arduino Uno R3, Arduino Mega 2560 Rev3, and Arduino ESP8266 Wifi Shield.
  • The IoT box served as a central hub for connecting and managing multiple IoT devices within a network.
• Local Web Interface:
  • This web interface allowed users to monitor and control the smart greenhouse via a web browser on local computers.
  • Users accessed real-time data, configured settings, and viewed graphical representations of historical data.
  • The interface incorporated security measures, including a login page.
• Android Mobile Application:
  • The mobile app offered mobility and convenience for users to monitor and control the greenhouse on Android smartphones or tablets.
  • Users could configure settings, receive real-time updates, and interact with a user-friendly interface.
  • The app provided data monitoring, historical data trends, and notifications for critical events.

Conclusion

The researchers built a groundbreaking smart greenhouse IoT system that automates fertilization, precise watering, and records fertilizer use. It offered real-time weather data, automated fogging, and soil moisture monitoring with automatic irrigation. Users could track energy use, and charging, and set preferences.

With a user-friendly interface for web and Android mobile devices, this research pioneered a complete smart greenhouse IoT solution for Brassica Juncea cultivation. It promises to revolutionize crop cultivation, while addressing food production, resource conservation, and environmental sustainability challenges in smart agriculture.