Embedded system for regulating abiotic parameters for Capsicum cultivation in a polyhouse with comparison to open-field cultivation

Abstract

Polyhouse cultivation enables year-round production of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Maintaining a favorable micro-climate inside a polyhouse is mostly through manual operation of environmental control systems in developing countries, and to varying degrees, with automation in developed countries. In this study automation of micro-climate control through sensors and controllers was examined. Soil moisture, relative humidity, and air temperature sensors were installed at different locations inside a polyhouse for the operation of irrigation, foggers, and fan-pad cooling systems. Threshold values of these parameterswere set as input to the programmable logic controller and systems. Bell pepper is an economically important crop rich in nutrients. The efficacy of the use of an automated system to control the growing environment for this crop needs to be clarified. The experiment was conducted using cv. Swarna, grown under open-field and polyhouse culture, at irrigation levels of 80% or 100% of crop evapotranspiration. Type of growing environment affected yield and fruit size, with production in the polyhouse being better, but irrigation level did not. The programmable logic controller-based automation system worked well for micro-climate control leading to 93% and 53% higher yield and fruit weight, respectively, in the polyhouse than open-field cultivation. The programmable logic controller-based automation can aid in maintaining a favorable microclimate inside a greenhouse leading to better bell pepper yield.