Abstract:
A study was conducted to develop an automated data acquisition NFT
hydroponics system, to evaluate the performance of the developed system for
different flow rates and to study the microclimate and nutrient solution status.
Three independent units of NFT hydroponics systems were installed in the
naturally ventilated polyhouse, ARS Chalakudy during the period December
2022- March 2023. An automated data acquisition system was developed by
interfacing various sensors, actuators and IoT cloud platform to a microcontroller.
The performance of the developed automated data acquisition NFT hydroponics
system was evaluated for different flow rates (60 l/h, 120 l/h and 180 l/h) by
cultivating the crop spinach. The developed automation system continuously
measured the real-time nutrient solution and microclimatic parameters. These data
were uploaded to an IoT cloud platform called ThingSpeak every 15 minutes and
displayed on a laptop and mobile phone. The automated system also controlled
the operation of the fans and foggers in the polyhouse. The result indicated that
the developed automated data acquisition system reduced the air temperature and
increased RH inside the polyhouse than outside during peak hours. The evaluation
of NFT hydroponics system for different flow rates resulted that 60 and 120 l/h
provided a better yield, higher water savings and nutrient savings for spinach
cultivation. The study of different nutrient solution and microclimatic parameters
showed that EC, pH and depth of nutrient solution in tank were maintained at its
respective range and depth of nutrient solution in the channel was found to vary as
the crop grows. Hourly average nutrient solution temperature, air temperature, RH
and light intensity were varying from time to time during the crop period. Hence it
can be concluded that the developed automated data acquisition NFT hydroponics
system makes it simple and quick to observe these parameters and manage the
system accordingly. Such an automated data monitoring system will be highly
beneficial for the commercial cultivation of hydroponics.
