FERTIRRIGATION MONITORING AND AUTOMATION SYSTEM: A CASE STUDY WITH THE PLANTECH PROTOTYPE

Abstract

Properl management of water and nutrient resources in crop porduction is essential for sustainable agriculture aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This article discusses the development and initial testing of an automated fertigation monitoring system, developed through a partnership between the Capixaba Institute for Research, Technical Assistance, and Rural Extension (Incaper) and UCL College. The system combines sensors that measure moisture, soil, and air temperature, as well as rain gauges and nutrient (NPK) sensors. These sensors communicate via the MQTT protocol, using ESP8266 and Arduino UNO® microcontrollers. Based on the collected data and evapotranspiration calculations using the Hargreaves & Samani method, the system can automatically determine the amount of water and nutrients plants need. A version of the system operates via a mobile application and a web platform, making remote control and adjustments much easier. Initial tests were conducted in a controlled environment using corn, and the results showed that the system is robust and works well. These results indicate the tool's strong potential for future application in both experimental and real-world agricultural environments, promoting greater efficiency and resource conservation.