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Design of a Small-Scale Hydroponic System for Indoor Farming of Leafy Vegetables

Author

Listed:
  • Neiko V. Nikolov

    (Department of Agricultural Machinery, Agrarian and Industrial Faculty, University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev”, 7017 Ruse, Bulgaria)

  • Atanas Z. Atanasov

    (Department of Agricultural Machinery, Agrarian and Industrial Faculty, University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev”, 7017 Ruse, Bulgaria)

  • Boris I. Evstatiev

    (Department of Electronics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Automation, University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev”, 7017 Ruse, Bulgaria)

  • Valentin N. Vladut

    (National Research—Development Institute for Machines and Installations Designed to Agriculture and Food Industry, 013813 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Sorin-Stefan Biris

    (Faculty of Biotechnical Systems Engineering, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 006042 Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

The reduction of the population and labour force in rural areas, adverse climate changes, soil pollution and degradation, and reduced soil fertility necessitate new and intensive approaches to and methods of vegetable production. In this study, a new high-tech, small-scale hydroponic system based on the Internet of Things (IoT) for growing leafy vegetables was designed. For the assembly of the high-tech small-scale hydroponic system, low-cost materials and sensors are used, allowing remote monitoring and process automation during the cultivation of leafy vegetables and seedlings. Experimental investigations of the installation were conducted, with lettuce as the grown crop. The environmental and technological parameters of the system were monitored and analysed in order to assess the suitability of the system. The obtained results confirm that the small-scale hydroponic system maintained the set parameters of air temperature, air humidity and pH of the nutrient solution within the optimal limits for growing lettuce. Other parameters, such as temperature and electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution, had small deviations from the required optimal limits. In the initially set experiment, 75% germination of the lettuce seeds was achieved. The main advantages of the proposed hydroponic system are the simplicity of its management and easy installation. Furthermore, it offers the possibility for remote monitoring and control without any high requirements towards the experience of the user with such facilities. The designed and implemented small hydroponic system can help small and medium-sized vegetable growers achieve indoor sustainable farming of leafy vegetables year-round.

Suggested Citation

  • Neiko V. Nikolov & Atanas Z. Atanasov & Boris I. Evstatiev & Valentin N. Vladut & Sorin-Stefan Biris, 2023. "Design of a Small-Scale Hydroponic System for Indoor Farming of Leafy Vegetables," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:6:p:1191-:d:1163161
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Roberto S. Velazquez-Gonzalez & Adrian L. Garcia-Garcia & Elsa Ventura-Zapata & Jose Dolores Oscar Barceinas-Sanchez & Julio C. Sosa-Savedra, 2022. "A Review on Hydroponics and the Technologies Associated for Medium- and Small-Scale Operations," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-21, April.
    2. Monika Komorowska & Marcin Niemiec & Jakub Sikora & Zofia Gródek-Szostak & Hatice Gurgulu & Maciej Chowaniak & Atilgan Atilgan & Pavel Neuberger, 2023. "Evaluation of Sheep Wool as a Substrate for Hydroponic Cucumber Cultivation," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-14, February.
    3. Michael Martin & Elvira Molin, 2019. "Environmental Assessment of an Urban Vertical Hydroponic Farming System in Sweden," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-14, July.
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