Development of automatic mixing process for fertigation system in rock melon cultivation

Abstract

This work proposed an automatic mixing system of nutrient solution for rock melon fertigation according to the required electrical conductivity (EC) level. Compared to the manual practice, this automatic system will ensure continuous supply of mixed nutrient solution without the need to daily check and mix new nutrient. Thus, this easy to use and low cost automatic system will reduce the burden of the farmers. This system uses an EC sensor to automatically check the concentration level of the mixed nutrient solution. Other than that, the system only consists of electronic pumps for mixing process and an Arduino board as the controller. The controller will monitor the EC level and run the mixing process when the EC level is below the required level. By calibrating the EC sensors, the test shows that the automatic mixing system is able to accurately keep the mixed nutrient solution concentration in a 400 L mixing reservoir at several required levels.