Volume 8, Issue 5, May – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165

Design and Development of Web-Based Mushroom

Monitoring System with Smart Sprinkler
Jodell R Bulaclac1 Kevin F Caluag2
1 2
College of Information and Communication Technology, College of Information and Communication Technology,
Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology POC,
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines - 3100 Gen. Tinio, Nueva Ecija, Philippines - 3104

Abstract:- The design and development of a Web-Based growth is driven by the rising demand for mushrooms in the
Mushroom Monitoring System with Smart Sprinkler local market as well as for export purposes. These findings
(MMS) for Mushroom House is presented in this study. indicate a promising market potential for mushroom farmers
The system utilizes Internet of Things (IoT) technology in the Philippines.
and sensor devices to enable real-time monitoring and
control of environmental conditions within mushroom It is well known that the Philippines has a wide variety
houses. The MMS incorporates features such as of edible mushroom species. Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster
temperature, humidity, CO2 level monitoring, and smart mushroom), Lentinula edodes (shiitake mushroom), and
sprinklers for precise irrigation management. By Ganoderma lucidum (reishi mushroom) are a few of the
collecting and analyzing data on environmental species that are frequently grown in the nation (Ong et al.,
conditions and crop performance, farmers can make 2019). The country's abundant biodiversity contributes to the
informed decisions to improve productivity. The study presence of various edible mushroom species. Alongside
follows the Agile methodology for software development oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.), shiitake mushrooms
and employs purposive sampling to gather data from IT (Lentinula edodes), and straw mushrooms (Volvariella
experts, fungiculture experts, and system end-users. The volvacea) are also frequently grown in the Philippines
results show that the MMS offers a reliable and efficient (Villanueva & de Guzman, 2018). These mushrooms have
solution for mushroom cultivation, enhancing gained popularity due to their nutritional content, distinct
productivity and resource utilization. flavors, and potential health benefits.

Keywords:- Agriculture Technology, Internet of Things Several studies have examined the key factors involved
(IoT), Monitoring System, Mushroom Cultivation, Smart in successful mushroom cultivation. Environmental
Sprinkler, Web-Based System. conditions, such as temperature, humidity, light, and
ventilation, play a critical role in the growth and
I. INTRODUCTION development of mushrooms (Royse, 2014). It is important to
maintain these conditions within the mushroom house to
In recent years, the agricultural sector has witnessed ensure optimal growth and prevent the proliferation of
significant advancements in technology, leading to the contaminants.
development of innovative solutions to enhance farming
practices and increase productivity (Cortez, 2020). One area Proper substrate preparation is another crucial aspect of
that has gained considerable attention is mushroom mushroom cultivation. The choice and preparation of the
cultivation, which holds tremendous potential in terms of substrate significantly impact the growth and yield of
nutritional value and economic profitability. With the mushrooms. Various substrates, including agricultural by-
growing demand for mushrooms in both domestic and products such as straw, sawdust, and corn cobs, have been
international markets, there is a need to optimize the farming used successfully in mushroom cultivation (Chang & Miles,
process to ensure efficient production and high-quality 2004). The substrate must undergo appropriate treatment,
yields. such as pasteurization or sterilization, to eliminate
competing organisms and provide a favorable environment
In the Philippines, the market potential for mushrooms for mushroom mycelium colonization.
has been steadily growing. According to a study by Dela
Cruz and Barroga (2018), the increasing demand for The selection of suitable spawn, which refers to the
mushrooms in both domestic and international markets inoculated substrate used to propagate mushrooms, is also
present a promising opportunity for mushroom farmers. The vital for successful cultivation. High-quality spawn with
rising awareness of the nutritional benefits and culinary vigorous mycelial growth is essential to ensure efficient
versatility of mushrooms has contributed to their popularity colonization of the substrate and subsequent fruiting body
among consumers.The favorable climate and suitable formation (Royse, 2014). Spawn can be obtained from
conditions in the Philippines make it an ideal location for reputable suppliers or produced in-house using reliable and
mushroom cultivation. The Food and Agriculture tested techniques. Also, by considering these key factors—
Organization (FAO) conducted a study in 2018, showing optimal environmental conditions, proper substrate
significant growth in the country's mushroom industry. This preparation, and appropriate spawn selection—mushroom

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Volume 8, Issue 5, May – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
cultivators can increase the chances of achieving high- mushroom houses, utilizing the ARDUINO UNO
quality yields and minimizing the risk of contamination. It is Microcontroller and various sensors to monitor
crucial to stay updated on the latest research and best environmental conditions.
practices in mushroom cultivation to improve productivity
and maximize success. The developed smart farming system (IoT) presented
in the study aimed to optimize farmers' time and resource
 System Purpose and Description management. It provided features such as temperature
Traditional mushroom farming methods often rely on monitoring, CO2 level detection, light level measurement,
manual labor and regular monitoring of environmental humidity monitoring, and smart sprinklers. The system
conditions such as temperature, humidity, light, and allowed for remote monitoring of the mushroom progress in
ventilation. These factors play a crucial role in the growth real-time. However, it should be noted that the system was
and development of mushrooms. However, manual not designed to address insect-related issues in the
monitoring can be time-consuming and labor-intensive for agriculture facility.
farmers, leading to challenges in maintaining consistent and
optimal conditions within the mushroom houses. Overall, the study contributed to the advancement of
agricultural technology by designing and developing a
To address these challenges, the development of reliable web-based system that enables efficient monitoring
automated systems using web-based technologies has and control of mushroom cultivation, helping farmers
emerged as a promising solution. This research project improve their productivity and resource utilization.
focuses on the design and implementation of a Web-Based
Mushroom Monitoring System with Smart Sprinkler (MMS) II. METHODOLOGY
for Mushroom House. The MMS leverages the power of
Internet of Things (IoT) and sensor devices to enable real-  Research Design
time monitoring and control of the mushroom house This research project was developedby employment of
environment. Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodology
using Agile. It is an iterative and incremental approach to
The Web-Based Mushroom Monitoring System utilizes software development that emphasizes collaboration,
a micro-controller, such as the Arduino Uno, to gather data flexibility, and continuous delivery. Agile methodologies,
from various sensors attached within the mushroom house. such as Scrum or Kanban, break down the development
These sensors provide critical information about process into smaller iterations called sprints, where cross-
temperature, humidity, CO2 levels, and other environmental functional teams work collaboratively to deliver working
parameters necessary for optimal mushroom growth. The software in short cycles (Agile Alliance, n.d.).
collected data is then transmitted to a web-based interface
accessible to the users, allowing them to remotely monitor
and regulate the mushroom house conditions.

Additionally, the integration of smart sprinkler systems

within the monitoring system can address the challenge of
irrigation management. These systems can be programmed
to deliver precise amounts of water at specific times based
on the requirements of the mushroom cultivation process
(Yusoff et al., 2020). This automation reduces the need for
manual irrigation, optimizes water usage, and ensures
consistent moisture levels, leading to improved crop yield
Fig 1 Project Design and Development
and quality.
This methodology focusses on customer satisfaction
Implementing web-based mushroom monitoring
through continuous involvement and feedback.
systems with smart sprinklers can also provide farmers with
Requirements and solutions evolve through the collaborative
data analytics and insights. By collecting and analyzing data
effort of self-organizing teams. The methodology
on environmental conditions and crop performance, farmers
emphasizes adaptability to changing requirements and
can make informed decisions and adjustments to their
encourages close communication between developers,
cultivation practices, leading to increased efficiency and
stakeholders, and end-users throughout the development
productivity (Yusoff et al., 2020).
process.
 Scope and Limitations
It also follows several key practices to enhance the
The study “Web-Based Mushroom Monitoring System
development process. These practices include expressing
with Smart Sprinkler “aimed to address the specific needs of
requirements as user stories, dividing work into sprints,
farmers by conducting a comprehensive analysis of existing
utilizing frameworks like Scrum or Kanban, conducting
studies, technologies, devices, and software related to the
daily stand-up meetings, implementing continuous
development of the system. The study focused on creating a
integration and testing, and enabling continuous delivery. By
real-time monitoring system and a smart sprinkler for
adopting Agile methodologies, organizations can experience

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Volume 8, Issue 5, May – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
advantages such as improved customer satisfaction, faster expertise in cultivating mushrooms. The study involved a
time-to-market, increased adaptability to changing total of two (2) Fungiculture expert respondents who
requirements, and enhanced collaboration among team provided valuable insights on the specific requirements and
members. challenges related to mushroom cultivation. Their input was
crucial in ensuring that the developed system aligned with
 Sampling Procedure the needs and practices of the Fungiculture industry.
In this study, the researchers employed a purposive
sampling technique to select participants. Purposive Lastly, the System End-users group was divided into
sampling, also known as judgmental or selective sampling, two sets: ten (10)mushroom house Owners and the fourteen
is a non-probability sampling method where researchers use (14) staff or employees. The Owners represented individuals
their judgment to choose individuals who fit specific criteria who owned or managed the mushroom cultivation facilities,
or profiles (Alchemer, 2021). This sampling approach while the staff or employees were the individuals directly
allows researchers to intentionally select participants who involved in the day-to-day operations of the facilities. The
possess relevant knowledge or experiences related to the study included a total of 24 System End-user respondents,
study's objectives. emphasizing the importance of their feedback in evaluating
the practicality and usability of the developed system. The
To gather data for evaluating the developed system, the perspectives of the System End-users were instrumental in
researchers utilized printed questionnaires as a research assessing how well the system supported their workflow and
instrument. Questionnaires are commonly used in research addressed their specific needs.
to collect information from respondents in a structured
manner. They can be conducted face-to-face, via telephone, Table 1 Distribution of Respondents
or through computer-based surveys (Saul, 2018). Classification Population Percentage
Questionnaires offer a cost-effective and efficient means of IT Experts 8 23.53%
gathering a large volume of information from a diverse FungicultureExpert 2 5.88%
sample of individuals. End Users (SWRD personnel) 24 70.59%
Total 34 100%
The utilization of purposive sampling in this study
ensured that participants with specific expertise or By including these three groups of respondents - the IT
characteristics relevant to the research objectives were experts, the Fungiculture experts, and the System End-users
included. By employing printed questionnaires, the - the study encompassed a comprehensive evaluation of the
researchers were able to systematically gather data from developed system from different angles. The IT experts
respondents in a standardized and organized manner. This provided technical expertise, the Fungiculture experts
approach allowed for the collection of a substantial amount ensured alignment with industry requirements, and the
of information from a wide range of individuals efficiently System End-users represented the end-users' perspective.
and at a lower cost. This multi-dimensional approach helped ensure the
reliability, functionality, and practicality of the system in
 Respondents real-world Fungiculture settings.
In this study, the researchers identified three distinct
groups of respondents: the IT experts, the Fungiculture  Research Locale
experts, and the System End-users. Each group played a The study was conducted at Bote Mushroom Farm,
crucial role in evaluating the developed system and which is situated in Purok 4 Barangay Rio Chico, in the
providing valuable insights from their respective expertise. Municipality of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija province,
Philippines. Bote Mushroom Farm aims to enhance
The IT experts group consisted of a diverse range of mushroom production rates in the municipality, recognizing
individuals with expertise in web programming and that farming serves as the primary livelihood for a majority
information technology. This group included three (3) web of the local residents.
programmers, who possessed technical skills and knowledge
in developing web-based systems. Additionally, three (3) IT
professors contributed their academic expertise in the field
of information technology. Two (2) IT consultants, with their
professional experience and consulting background,
provided valuable insights on system development and
implementation strategies. The involvement of IT experts in
the study ensured a comprehensive evaluation of the
technical aspects of the developed system and adherence to
industry best practices.

The Fungiculture expert group consisted of individuals

with specialized knowledge and experience in mushroom
cultivation. These experts were considered authorities in the
field of Fungiculture and were selected based on their Fig 2 Google Earth View of the Research Locale

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Volume 8, Issue 5, May – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Despite its location at the base of the Sierra Madre By emphasizing extensibility and considering the
Mountain Ridges, the topography of the area is generally integration of additional devices, the researchers aimed to
flat, making it well-suited for agricultural activities, develop a Mushroom Monitoring System that would not
including the cultivation of rice, vegetables, and fungi. The only provide real-time monitoring but also offer enhanced
developed system, designed to improve mushroom functionality and control over the mushroom growth
production, will soon be implemented at Bote Mushroom environment.
Farm. The mushroom house at Bote Mushroom Farm is a
single room measuring fifteen meters in width and height,  Designing Stage
with operations commencing in the year 2012. After analyzing the data, the researchers proceeded to
develop and prepare system designs that encompassed the
work packages and functionalities of the MMS (Mushroom
Monitoring System). The system designs included the Use
Case Diagram, Context Diagram, and Data Flow Diagram.
These designs were crucial in guiding the development team
and serving as references for the work breakdown structure.

The first design created was the Use Case Diagram,

which depicted the interactions between system users or
roles. Figure 5illustrates two actors: the Administrator and
the Employees. The Administrator role had the authority to
manage system settings and configurations, define and
manage sensor configurations, and generate monitoring
reports about the system.
Fig 3 The Facility of Research Locale

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

 Project Initialization and Requirement Analysis Stage

The development of MMS: A Mushroom Monitoring
System with Smart Sprinkler was initiated to address the
need for precise monitoring of mushroom growth and the
identification of factors that affect its development. The aim
was to create a real-time monitoring system that would
enhance production and reduce manual monitoring efforts
for farmers.

During this stage, the researchers conducted extensive

research and interviews to determine the necessary features
for the Mushroom Monitoring System. Additionally, the
researchers explored various platforms and devices that
could be utilized. The preference was given to developing
the system from scratch to ensure its extensibility and the
ease of implementing future expansions. Extensibility refers
to the system's ability to accommodate the addition of new
capabilities or functionality. This was a crucial aspect of the
project since it involved not only a Real-Time Monitoring
System but also the integration of devices such as Arduino
to facilitate a climate control system.

Fig 5 Use Case Diagram

For easy visualization of data processes, external

entities, and the overall system, a Context Diagram or DFD
Level 0 was constructed. This diagram provided a high-level
view of the system's functions and processes. Figure 6
displays the Context Diagram, where four main functions
were identified: system settings and user management, real-
time monitoring logs, sensor configurations, and report
generation.
Fig 4 Interview with the Owner of Bote’s Mushroom House

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Volume 8, Issue 5, May – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Database, was utilized. These tables stored and managed the
necessary data for the system to operate effectively.

Through the development of these system designs and

the establishment of a comprehensive database structure, the
researchers laid the foundation for the subsequent stages of
the MMS development process. These designs and database
tables served as the basis for implementing the system's
functionalities and ensuring efficient data management.

 Development and Testing

During this stage, the researchers employed a
Scrumban board to monitor the progress and track specific
tasks known as "Sprint Backlogs." The Scrumban board was
a customized Excel application consisting of six columns:
"Sprint Backlogs," "In Progress," "Peer Review," "In Test,"
Fig 6 Context Diagram "For Revision," and "Deploy in the Hosting." Each column
represented the status of the corresponding backlog, with
To further elaborate on the subroutines or processes "Sprint Backlogs" indicating planned but unfinished tasks .
within each identified functionality, a Data Flow Diagram
Level 1 was generated. These diagrams provided more For the development and modification phases, the
detailed insights into the system's operations and data flow. researchers utilized Visual Studio and Arduino IDE as text
editors to enhance the readability of the programming
In order for the MMS to function properly, a database syntax. These environments provided a conducive
consisting of 10 tables, collectively referred to as the MMS workspace for coding and making necessary modifications.

Fig 7 Visual Studio Code Text Editor Environment

Fig 8 Arduino Integrated Development Environment

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Volume 8, Issue 5, May – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Additionally, as the Project Monitoring System with Smart Sprinkler incorporates hardware components, it requires the
assembly of the Arduino board and sensors. The smart sprinkler should activate based on the data readings from the sensors, and
the software needs to analyze the data to trigger the components accordingly. This involved manually manufacturing the smart
sprinkler by combining the necessary hardware parts.

Fig 9 Smart Sprinkler Prototyping

To test the developed prototype, the researchers shipping of software projects, accommodating projects of
employed the XAMPP open-source package. XAMPP is a any programming language and size. The researchers opted
widely popular PHP development environment known for its for Railway Made due to its compatibility with the Laravel
ease of installation and comprehensive components such as framework, which was used to develop the MMS. This
Apache distribution, MariaDB, PHP, and Perl. These choice made the deployment process easier, as Railway
components are essential for web developers, and XAMPP Made includes features such as database configuration and
simplifies the testing process. environment variables, reducing the configuration time
required for Laravel projects. Moreover, Railway Made
 Deploymentand Evaluation Stage supports automatic deployment of Laravel projects, further
To facilitate the deployment and evaluation process, streamlining the deployment process. When all were setup,
the MMS was installed on a hosting site called Railway the researchers demonstrate how the system works to all the
Made. Railway Made is a cloud platform that simplifies the evaluators.

Fig 10 The Software Output

In addition to the demonstration, the researchers also created two user manuals to provide comprehensive guidance to end-
users. These manuals serve as valuable resources, offering clear instructions and explanations on how to effectively utilize the
system. By providing detailed documentation, the researchers aimed to ensure that users have a smooth and seamless experience
with the MMS.

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Volume 8, Issue 5, May – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165

Fig 11 Users’ Guide

The successful deployment marks an important technologies and sensor devices, the MMS allows for real-
milestone for the Project Monitoring System with Smart time monitoring and control of environmental conditions
Sprinkler. With its installation on Railway Made and the within the mushroom house, leading to enhanced
availability of user manuals, the system is now ready for use productivity and resource utilization.
by the intended users. The combination of seamless
deployment, comprehensive documentation, and The integration of smart sprinkler systems within the
endorsement from experts and end-users sets the stage for MMS addresses the challenge of irrigation management by
efficient monitoring of mushroom growth, improved automating the irrigation process based on the specific
production, and streamlined farming processes in the requirements of mushroom cultivation. This automation
research locale's mushroom house. optimizes water usage, ensures consistent moisture levels,
and ultimately improves crop yield and quality.
The Project Monitoring System with Smart Sprinkler
received approval from both experts and end-users, Furthermore, the MMS provides data analytics and
confirming that it successfully achieved its goals and insights through the collection and analysis of
objectives and was deemed suitable for use in the research environmental conditions and crop performance data. This
locale's mushroom house. valuable information allows farmers to make informed
decisions and adjustments to their cultivation practices,
However, the experts also emphasized that prototyping leading to increased efficiency and productivity.
of the hardware components is not enough.In order to make
the Project Monitoring System with Smart Sprinkler Overall, the Web-Based Mushroom Monitoring System
marketable, it is essential to consider more than just its with Smart Sprinkler (MMS) offers a promising solution to
functionality and validation. Packaging and presentation are optimize mushroom cultivation practices. By adopting this
key factors that contribute to its appeal to the target technology and staying informed about advancements in the
audience. This involves investing in professional design field, mushroom farmers can enhance their productivity,
services to create an attractive product, focusing on an improve crop quality, and contribute to the sustainable
intuitive user interface and experience, using sustainable growth of the mushroom industry.
packaging materials, establishing a strong brand identity,
implementing effective marketing strategies, providing RECOMMENDATION
comprehensive documentation and support, and offering
flexible pricing and packaging options. By addressing these Based on the findings and the successful
considerations, the capstone project can be transformed into implementation of the MMS, it is recommended that
a market-ready product that successfully appeals to the mushroom farmers adopt web-based monitoring systems
target audience. It highlights the significance of prioritizing with smart sprinklers to optimize their cultivation practices.
the overall user experience, branding, packaging, and By implementing such systems, farmers can benefit from
support to enhance marketability. real-time monitoring, automated irrigation management, and
data analytics capabilities. These advancements can
IV. CONCLUSION significantly improve productivity, reduce manual labor, and
minimize the risk of contamination.
The development of the Web-Based Mushroom
Monitoring System with Smart Sprinkler (MMS) for Additionally, it is essential for farmers to stay updated
Mushroom House has shown great potential in improving on the latest research and best practices in mushroom
mushroom cultivation practices. By leveraging IoT cultivation. Continuous learning and knowledge-sharing

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Volume 8, Issue 5, May – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
among farmers, researchers, and experts can contribute to
the ongoing development and refinement of mushroom
cultivation techniques.

Moreover, further research and development efforts

should focus on expanding the capabilities of the MMS.
This may include integrating additional sensors to monitor
other vital parameters, such as air quality and carbon dioxide
levels, as well as exploring advanced data analytics
techniques to provide more in-depth insights and predictive
models for crop management.

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