System Development for Simultaneous Measurement and Control of pH and Moisture of Soil

Abstract

Proper growth of a crop is insured if the pH level and moisture of soil is maintained to a certain value. Further, this value depends upon the type of crop under consideration. This balance of pH and moisture of soil can lead to higher productivity rates. This work presents development of simple system which measures pH and moisture value of soil. This data acquired is further used to maintain the desired level through use of actuation system. Typical of actuation system used to monitor the supply of Sulphur etc. and water for maintaining pH and moisture level in soil. The desired level of pH and moisture in soil will be set as per the need for the crop to be cultivated from soil under consideration. The case presented in this paper is for cultivating tomato crop in soil. This particular crop need pH=6.0 to 6.8 and moisture required 4-7mm/hr. The control of these two parameters is expected to give better yield of crops. For this the microcontroller based embedded system is devised. The sensors are connected to a microcontroller in which the program of control actions according to the plant/crop is burned. This microcontroller then controls the flow control valve to adjust the required amount of flow of the chemicals and water. Thus the proposed system lays the news avenue for its use in agriculture and similar kinds of application.