Lab Prototype of Wireless Monitoring and Control for Seed Potatoes Growing Chamber

Abstract

One of the foremost problems in Indonesia’s agricultural sector is r related to the high prod uction costs. As the highest cost driver in a cultivation season is related to seeds availability, quality, and procurement, therefore a research in collaboration with Vegetable R&D Facility (Balitsa) under Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture w as performed. This research effort focused on designing and implementing wireless sensor and actuator network (WSAN) for the control, monitoring, and conditioning of growing chambers inside of a greenhouse. Aeroponic growing chambers which are essential in n cultivating disease-fre e G0 potato seeds require strict treat ment of water, nutrients, and also conditioned temperatur e and humidit y. With the implementation of WSAN, a flexibility in sensor nodes management was introduc ed, where the number of active growing chambers might vary depending user’s preferences. Main improvement s after implementation gained in forms of a monitored system and user-adjustable settings, which are esse ntial for the Balitsa resea archers. Other improvements include power and nutrients efficiency in pe rforming the e G0 cultivation. This research was done as one of the Indonesian Smart Farming efforts, a roadmap designed to empower and integrate nationwide a gricultural activities through information and communication technology.