Development of Automated Nutrients Composition Control Fertigation System

Inefficient management of nutrient inputs has put a large constraint on the environment and human’s health. Indiscriminate use of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers has led to ground water pollution. So the farmers has to pay close attention to nutrient management and incorporate the concept of balanced plant nutrition into their farming techniques. The balanced nutrition level to plant is provided by managing pH and Electrical conductivity level of fertilizer solution according to soil pH and electrical conductivity. Developed system comprises of two sensors to measure pH and EC of the fertilizer solution and soil. The output signals from the pH and EC electrode sensors are conditioned with the help signal conditioning cards and then interfaced to microcontroller through inbuilt ADC. Microcontroller will turn ON and OFF particular solenoid valve to pore the fertilizers into the mixing tank according to the pH and EC level in the mixing tank solution. LCD is used to display the computed results. pH and EC level of fertilizer solution is maintained on the basis of output readings of EC and pH sensors.