Automated Smart Plant Watering and Monitoring System Utilizing Arduino, Soil

Moisture Sensors, and IOT for Plant Growth

A Research Plan

(ROBOTICS- TEAM CATEGORY)

Jake G. Zurita
Nicole Caireen B. Aying
Cyrish Trishia S. Hilongos
Kieth Hermoine D. Acruz
Leian Therese D. Donaire
Kristine Faith F. Foster
Jasleen M. Rojas
Aijhen Ayesha C. Catambis
Vanessa Lean R. Garciano
Kristine Mae S. Inocellas
Lore D. Redido
Grace Lee G. Saquez
Joseph Carl C. Dalumpines
Marcus Andrei S. Peña
Rogean A. Sanes
Cedrick Dwaren Reveche
Luciano B. Rama Sr. Memorial National High School
Esperanza, Poro, Cebu

Cristina P. Guntinas
Adviser

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 Table of Contents

Title Page -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1

Table of Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2

List Figures and Tables ------------------------------------------------------------------ 3

Rationale ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4-6

Objectives --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6

Research Question ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 6

Hypothesis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6-7

Procedure --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-10

Data Analysis ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10

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 List Figures and Tables

Table 1: Materials to be Used --------------------------------------------------------- 7-8

Figure 1: Circuit Diagram ------------------------------------------------------------- 10

Table 2: Growth of the plants --------------------------------------------------------- 14

Table 3: Monitoring system ------------------------------------------------------------ 14

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 Rationale

The escalating challenges posed by climate change, water scarcity, and the

increasing demand for food necessitate innovative solutions within agricultural practices,

particularly in the management of water resources. The agricultural sector is a significant

consumer of freshwater, and inefficient watering practices can lead to substantial water

wastage, adversely affecting both crop yields and sustainability. Traditional methods of

irrigation often fail to provide crops with adequate water suited to their specific needs and

environmental conditions. Many farmers continue to rely on manual watering techniques that

are not only labor-intensive but also prone to inconsistencies and inefficiencies. This

highlights a pressing need for smart irrigation systems that enhance efficiency, reduce water

consumption, and support sustainable agricultural practices.

It was found out that extreme levels of drought can minimize the yields of major

crops such as corn and wheat by 20% to 35% in affected areas. (Huang, 2024) It was also

studied that prolonged drought can lead to long-term soil degradation and reduced fertility,

which further decreases agricultural productivity over time (MPI, 2020) Not just

internationally, but especially more so that the Philippines is a major rice- producing country,

and drought can severely affect the yield. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported

in 2019, a drought affected an estimated 100,000 hectares of rice fields, leading to a decrease

in production that year by approximately 3.2%. One way to combat the effects of drought in

the field of agriculture is through water conservation.

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The research project titled " Automated Smart Plant Watering and Monitoring System

Utilizing Arduino, Soil Moisture Sensors, and IOT for Optimal Plant Care" aims to address

these issues by developing a cost-effective, automated irrigation system that utilizes Arduino

technology that you can monitor on your smartphone. By integrating soil moisture sensors,

the system continuously monitors soil moisture levels and activates the watering mechanism

only when necessary. This targeted approach to irrigation minimizes water wastage while

ensuring that plants receive consistent moisture, which is crucial for healthy growth and

optimal yield.

The foundation of this research lies in its potential to reduce water wastage

significantly and by giving an efficient monitoring tool for farmers which will give the real-

time levels of moisture. By employing real-time data from soil moisture sensors, the

automated system can ensure that unnecessary watering is minimized, thereby promoting the

responsible and efficient use of water resources. Furthermore, the provision of consistent soil

moisture levels through automated irrigation is likely to lead to improved crop health and

increased agricultural productivity, ultimately contributing to greater food security.

Additionally, the use of affordable and widely available components such as

Arduino and soil moisture sensors democratizes access to advanced irrigation technology,

making it feasible for smallholder farmers and agricultural businesses. This research not only

showcases the potential of technology in farming but also serves as an educational tool,

empowering farmers with knowledge about precision agriculture and encouraging innovative

solutions in water management.

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 Moreover, optimizing water use in agriculture aligns with broader environmental

conservation goals. By reducing the pressure on scarce water resources and promoting

sustainable farming practices, this project supports a vision for agriculture that is mindful of

both economic viability and environmental stewardship. In conclusion, the development of an

Arduino-based automated plant watering system represents a significant advancement in

agricultural technology. This research endeavors to contribute to the larger dialogue on

sustainable agriculture, demonstrating that technology can enhance efficiency, conserve

water, and effectively support the needs of both farmers and the environment in a manner that

is practical, affordable, and scalable.

Objectives

The primary objective of this research is centered on the development of a fully

functional prototype of an Arduino-based automated watering system and make an application

that will show the data collected by the used sensors. This study also aims to find out whether

this smart irrigation is better than manual watering in the aspect of plant growth and whether

the app accurately conveys the yield data.

Research Question

As the problem of drought affects the yield and crop production in the agricultural sector. The

researchers aim to conduct this study and answer these following questions:

1. Is the usage of this smart irrigation system better than manual watering in terms of plant

growth?

2. Could the app project the same value as with the sensor value?

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 Hypothesis

This study mainly aims to produce a working prototype of the automated watering

system utilizing Arduino and find out whether its water usage is less than manual labor.

Alternative hypothesis: The growth of the eggplant in the smart irrigation in seven weeks is less

than that of manual watering and the app accurately shows the yield data.

Null hypothesis: The growth of the eggplant with the automated watering system is less than

with the manual watering.

Procedure

Materials

MATERIALS NEEDED USAGE

Arduino Uno In this project, the Arduino Uno acts

as the central processing unit. It

collects and processes data from the

soil moisture sensor, controls the

relay module to activate the water

pump, and makes decisions based on

the moisture levels detected. It allows

for the implementation of the code

that governs the system’s behavior,

ensuring efficient watering based on

real-time soil conditions.

5 Volt Relay Module The relay module in the automated

watering system serves as a switch

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 that controls the water pump. When

the soil moisture sensor detects that

the soil is dry, it sends a signal to the

Arduino, which then activates the

relay. The relay, in turn, powers on

the water pump, allowing water to

flow to the plants. Once the moisture

level reaches the desired threshold,

the Arduino deactivates the relay,

stopping the water supply.

Water Pump In this project, the water pump is

responsible for delivering water to the

plants. When the Arduino activates

the relay (after receiving a signal

from the soil moisture sensor), the

water pump is turned on to supply the

necessary amount of water based on

the detected soil moisture levels. The

pump contributes to the efficiency

and effectiveness of the irrigation

system by ensuring that water is

supplied only when needed.

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 Soil Moisture Sensor The soil moisture sensor continuously

monitors the moisture content of the

soil around the plants. The readings

from this sensor are sent to the

Arduino, allowing it to determine

whether watering is required. This

sensor is crucial for ensuring that

plants receive water only when their

soil is below the desired moisture

threshold, contributing to water

conservation.

Jumper Wires In this project, jumper wires are used

to establish connections between the

Arduino Uno, the relay module, the

soil moisture sensor, and the water

pump. They facilitate the flow of

electrical signals and power

throughout the system, ensuring that

all components communicate

effectively and function as intended.

Procedure

WIRING

1. Gather all the necessary components and equipments.

2. Follow the schematic diagram.

3. Connect the soil moisture sensor:

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VCC pin to 5V on the Arduino.

GND pin to GND on the Arduino.

Signal pin to one of the analog input pins (e.g., A0).

Connect the relay module:

VCC to 5V on the Arduino.

GND to GND on the Arduino.

IN pin (control pin) to a digital output pin on the Arduino (e.g., D7).

4. Connect the pump to the relay module according to the relay specifications (usually the

common terminal to the pump and normally open (NO) terminal to the power supply).

CODING

1. Install the Arduino IDE on your computer.

2. Write a program that:

Initializes the sensor and relay

Reads the soil moisture level from the sensor

Activates the water pump via the relay when the moisture level is below a specified threshold

Deactivates the pump when the moisture level is adequate

3. Connect the Arduino to the computer using a USB cable and upload the written code.

int water; //random variable

void loop() {
water = digitalRead(6); // reading the coming signal from
the soil sensor
if(water == HIGH) // if water level is full then cut the
relay
code
{
digitalWrite(3,LOW); // low is to cut the relay
}
else
{ 10
digitalWrite(3,HIGH); //high to continue proving signal and
water supply
}
SYSTEM ASSEMBLY

1. Assemble the circuit on a breadboard or directly based on the schematic.

2. Ensure all connections are secure to avoid faults.

3. Place the water pump in a water container.

4. Attach the tubing to the pump outlet and direct it towards the plant or pot.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

MAKING THE APPLICATION

1. Install flutter software to be able to start making an application.

2. Create a user interface in the app to display sensor data. Then, write code in your app

to request and display data from the Arduino.

3. Make Network Requests: Use libraries (like Retrofit for Android, Alamofire for iOS)

to fetch data from the Arduino.

4. Update UI: Display the sensor data in real-time.

5. Debugging: Test both the Arduino and mobile app to ensure they communicate

correctly.

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 6. Data Validation: Ensure the app accurately receives and displays the sensor readings.

Mobile Application's Design Flowchart

Data

Collection

In the course of one week, we will establish a control group consisting of a eggplant

that will be watered manually by various individuals at unpredictably timed intervals. At the

end of the seven-day period, we will total the amount of water used for this manual watering

approach.

Data Analysis

The data taken from the growth of the eggplant with th automated watering

sstem and the manual watering system will be presented using tables as with the

monitoring system as well.

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 Days Growth of the eggplant Growth of the eggplant

with automated watering with the manual watering

system system

Table 2: for the plant growth.

No. of trials Projected in the sensor Projected in the app

Table 3: for the monitoring system.

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