Perancangan Sistem Vertikultur Metode Nutrient Film Technique dengan Penyesuaian Arah Gerak Cahaya Matahari Berbasis Mikrokontroler

Abstract

Plant cultivation in verticulture system uses the hydroponic method that is Nutrient Film Technique (NFT). NFT is a method to circulate the nutrition liquid continuously in 24 hours long to help the growth of the plant with a shorter time for the commercial plants. Usually the distribution of sunlight in verticulture system are not equal, it causes for some plants unable to photosynthesis and wither. Designing a moving verticulture system based on the sunlight direction is the main solution to solve the sunlight receiving problem to the plant. This design will include a Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) driver module, motor driver module, microcontroller module, motor movement limit detection module, nutrition liquid level detection module and power supply module. The verticulture system works on receiving sunlight by detecting a sunlight that focused on the LDRs, then processed by the microcontroller to turn on the Direct Current (DC) motor with direction and speed that have been adjust. The examination was done in an open area from morning until night. Sunlight received by the sensor will determine the direction of the verticulture. This design also has a nutrition liquid level detection sensors that connected directly to power supply. The examination was done by detecting the minimum limit from the nutrition liquid availability in the water tank. The purpose of this examination is so that the availability system of nutrition liquid inside the tank is fulfilled. The conclusion from designing a verticulture system with NFT method in receiving sunlight and control of watering nutrition liquid can make the plants grow faster then the conventional plants.