Week 5: FYP1:-Chapter 1 (Introduction)

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Water is the most important element in our life. Without it, we cannot survive. Watering system can be defined as a system to deliver water to the plants/crops in a greenhouse. These types vary from simple ones to most sophisticated systems and you have to choose the best suited one for your plants. In short, such system takes care of the water requirements of plants and totally eliminates manual watering.

One of the major factors influencing crop growth is the temperature. Different crop species have different optimum growing temperatures and these optimum temperatures can be different for the root and the shoot environment and for the different growth stages during the life of the crop. If a greenhouse were like a residential or commercial building, controlling the temperature would be much easier since these buildings are insulated so that the impact of outside conditions is significantly reduced. A high relative humidity (above 80-85%) should be avoided because it can increase the incidence of disease and reduce plant transpiration [1].

In keeping abreast technology, Development of Humidity Control and Automatic Greenhouse Watering System is created.  This project is constructed to provide opportunity the gardener to manage their crops.  The heart of this project is microcontroller. This system has capability to control the watering system, LDR Light sensor, temperature and humidity in a greenhouse environment. Three sensors are used in this project. Temperature sensor will measure the condition in a greenhouse. The high temperature levels have to increase productivity, quality and earliness. Humidity sensor will be used as it is capable of detecting humidity levels. Most greenhouse plants tend to grow better at higher relative humidity. The LDR light sensor is needed to detect the lighting conditions in a greenhouse. It is able to turn on artificial lighting when there is insufficient light.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Watering system is the most important thing on a greenhouse system. The water we provide, which is the main element, will make sure the plants survive on certain circumstances. As we all know, most of the gardener use the manual system to water their plant but this system is not efficient. The plants will either die if there is not enough water supplies to the plant or vice versa. Each plant species has an optimum temperature range. Heating devices will maintain the temperature within that range during periods of cold weather. Many greenhouse crops are bred for higher humidity. If grown outside, in lower humidity environments, they usually perform poorly.

In order to maintain the condition and overcome the problem, the development of humidity control and automatic greenhouse watering system is used. This system is created to reduce the time if using automatic system rather than manual way of watering. In other side, temperature and humidity sensor will control the condition in a greenhouse. For example, where temperature sensor detects is too hot condition in a greenhouse then microcontroller will send the signal to the cooling fan to maintain condition in a greenhouse. Fewer workers are needed to maintain the plants. 

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this project is to design and develop  humidity control and automatic greenhouse watering system. This system are allow  to control the amount of water delivered to the plants when it is needed based on types of plants. It also can detect and control the temperature and relative humidity in a greenhouse. 

PROJECT SCOPE 

This project is about controlling system which is control the humidity and also watering system. Sensor used to control the temperature, humidity and lighting condition in a greenhouse.  The aquarium pump is used to supply water to the plant in a greenhouse when it needed. Other than that, the controller (PIC16F877A) as a main part in this project is used to control overall system in a greenhouse. All the part involves in a greenhouse will be control by PIC.