Smart indoor hydroponic farming

Growing certain plants and vegetables in remote areas such as deserts and the north and South Pole can be a challenge because of the extreme outside weather. Very few species of plants thrive in such situations and are often not used as a food source. In this study, we created a system that can grow

Project Title

Smart indoor hydroponic farming

Project Area of Specialization

Mechanical Engineering

Project Summary

Growing certain plants and vegetables in remote areas such as deserts and the north and South Pole can be a challenge because of the extreme outside weather. Very few species of plants thrive in such situations and are often not used as a food source. In this study, we created a system that can grow common plants and vegetables and can operate without depending on the outside climate. We achieved this by using a technique called Hydroponics. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without using soil. System parameters can be maintained and controlled by a sensor such as pH sensor, water temperature sensor and air temperature/humidity sensor. For adequate management of water and nutrients in the hydroponic system the electrical conductivity, pH dissolved oxygen and temperature should be measured because ion concentrations in the nutrient solutions change with time, resulting in a nutrient imbalance. In closed hydroponic systems real time measurement of all nutrients are required but such measurements are not available due to technical problems.

Project Objectives

The main objective of hydroponic is to supply the ideal environment for optimum plant performance. Although technically not a portion of hydroponic, growers typically try to provide ideal environmental factors also. Plant performance may be further optimized by controlling the climate and lighting. Employing a greenhouse provides natural lighting can also guarantee the optimal season for optimum plant performance. Advances in technology in lighting, nutrient delivery and environmental control, will further improve plant productivity and performance.

Project Implementation Method

The nutrient solution constantly flows past the roots. It is much easier to automate than the static solution culture because sampling and adjustments to the temperature and nutrient concentrations can be made in a large storage tank that has potential to serve thousands of plants. A popular variation in the nutrient film technique or NFT, whereby a very shallow stream of water containing all the dissolved nutrients required for plant growth is recirculates past the bare roots of plants in a watertight thick root mat, which develops in the bottom of the channel and has an upper surface that, although moist, is in the air, Subsequent to this, an abundant supply of oxygen is provided to the roots of the plants.

Benefits of the Project

• Some hydroponic growers got many times greater yields than conventional methods.
• Because hydroponically grown plants dip their roots directly into nutrient-rich solutions, they get what they need much more easily than plants growing in soil.
• With smaller roots, you can grow more plants in the same area and more yield.  
• Many pests are carried in soil, so doing without it generally gives you a more hygienic growing system with fewer problems of disease.
• Higher yields achieved in a smaller space.
• Nutrients precisely controlled.
• Grow, bloom and boost formulas used at the appropriate growth stage.
• Indoor gardens grown using full-spectrum horticultural lighting.
• Soil-borne pests and diseases are eliminated.
•  Weeds are eliminated.
•  Plants are healthier and reach maturity faster.
•  Automation is possible.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

It’s been possible to grow plants without soil completely and hence leads to more quality, improved and more nutritious plant growth with help of designed hydroponic system. Also by providing artificial light it supplements to the excessive amount of sunlight that the plants can get for fully grown height. And also system can contribute to environment friendly since no use of pesticides.

Final Deliverable of the Project

Hardware System

Core Industry

Agriculture

Other Industries

Core Technology

Others

Other Technologies

Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health and Well-Being for People, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Responsible Consumption and Production

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com