Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Maragondon Campus

Smart Plant Watering System with Mobile Control and Moisture Sensing Technology

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Plants are vital to life as we know it because they give you and other living things food,

oxygen, medication, and other necessities. However, in addition to these necessities, plants also

need appropriate sunlight, water, nutrients, and defense against pests and diseases (Clark, 2018).

For plant owners, whether they are farmers, gardeners, or hobbyists, one of the most crucial and

often chores is watering their plants. However, there is a risk that watering plants will be

challenging, time-consuming, and wasteful—especially if the people who own the plants don't

have the tools, knowledge, or experience to do it correctly.

Agriculture depends heavily on water, but it is a limited resource. The world's

agricultural output is being negatively impacted by the growing prevalence of water scarcity.

Furthermore, as much as 70% of irrigation water is lost due to water waste, which is a serious

issue in agriculture (FAO 2012). In addition to supporting other water-dependent activities, this

squandered water might be utilized to grow more food.

Understanding the ideal amount and frequency of water that each plant need, given a

variety of circumstances including the type of plant, the state of the soil, the weather, the season,

and the stage of growth of the plant, is one of the key issues associated with watering plants.

Plants that are overwatered or underwatered may have a number of issues, including nutrient

shortage, wilting, root rot, decreased production, and plant mortality. Furthermore, manually
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watering plants can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, particularly on large-scale or distant

farms. Furthermore, because excess water can carry fertilizers, pesticides, and soil sediments into

groundwater and rivers, indiscriminate watering of plants can also result in water waste and

environmental contamination (Rafu Naik, Kavitha & Sridhar., 2022).

In order to automate and improve plant watering in response to these problems, a wide

range of methods and technologies have been developed and implemented, including soil

moisture sensors, drip irrigation, sprinkler systems, rainwater storage, controllers, and timers.

However, there are a few drawbacks and limitations to these technologies and methods, such as

their high cost, low reliability, little flexibility, poor accessibility, and costly upkeep.

Consequently, a more inventive and user-friendly technique needs to be created in order to give

intelligent and efficient plant watering while also saving money, water, and energy.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The main objective of this study is to design and develop a smart plant watering system with

mobile control and moisture sensing technology that can overcome the existing problems and

provide a better solution for the users. The specific objectives are:

1. To produce an inexpensive, straightforward hardware circuit that uses a microcontroller

and a relay module to assess the moisture content of the soil and regulate the water pump.

2. To design and implement a water tank that collects and stores rainwater from the roof or

other sources and uses it for irrigation, reducing the reliance on tap water and saving

water cost.

3. To create a mobile application that can use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to connect to the hardware

circuit and enable the user to remotely manage the water pump and monitor the water

level and soil moisture; and

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4. To assess how well the system works and how accurate, dependable, secure, and easy to

use it is.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Smart plant watering systems are readily available and offer several advantages; nevertheless,

certain constraints and deficiencies still need to be resolved. Among the frequent issues are:

1. The price and intricacy of the system's hardware and software components, which may

prevent certain users—particularly those in remote or developing areas—from affording

or using it.

2. Noise, interference, calibration, and maintenance problems can all have an impact on the

precision and dependability of the sensors and actuators.

3. Data and communication security and privacy, which can be subject to hacking,

manipulation, or illegal access.

4. The ease of use and functionality of the system, which may call for technical expertise,

guidance, or assistance to run and maintain.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Study aims to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of planting by automating the

irrigation system and using rainwater as the main water source. In line with this, the researchers

would like to acknowledge the benefit of this study to the following areas:

1. The Farmers and Gardeners. Who can increase the quality and productivity of their

plants or crops while saving time, labor, water, and energy.

 Polytechnic University of the Philippines
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2. The Researchers and Developers. Who can utilize the system as a model or source of

inspiration for additional study and advancement in the irrigation or smart agricultural

fields.

3. The Society and Environment. Who stands to gain from decreased water use and waste,

as well as increased food security and sustainability.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

The project aims to design and implement a smart plant watering system, seamlessly integrating

hardware and software components. Key software-related aspects include:

1. Data Security and Privacy: Implement robust security measures for user data

transmitted through the mobile application and stored in the cloud, ensuring

confidentiality and integrity.

2. Cloud Integration: Explore cloud platforms for data storage, enabling multi-device

access and providing data backup in case of system failures.

3. User Authentication and Authorization: Develop a secure login system, including

various user roles and permissions to control system access.

4. Notification System: Implement a notification system within the mobile application to

alert users about critical events like low water levels or system malfunctions.

5. User-Friendly Interface: Focus on creating an intuitive mobile application interface

with graphical representations of soil moisture levels and simplified navigation.

6. Remote Troubleshooting: Integrate remote diagnostic capabilities for users to

troubleshoot minor issues or enable remote support.

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7. Historical Data Analysis: Develop tools for analyzing historical data trends within the

application or web portal, aiding users in optimizing watering schedules based on past

performance and environmental conditions.

8. Localization and Internationalization: Design the mobile application to support

multiple languages and regional settings, adapting to user linguistic and cultural

preferences.

9. Software Updates and Maintenance: Implement a mechanism for remote software

updates, ensuring easy upgrades for new features or security patches. Provide

documentation and support channels for users to troubleshoot software-related issues.

Hardware components include:

1. Water tank for rainwater collection.

2. Water pump for water transfer.

3. Moisture sensor for soil moisture measurement.

4. Microcontroller for system control.

5. Wireless module for internet connectivity and Bluetooth communication.

6. Mobile application displaying soil moisture, tank water level, and plant watering status,

allowing manual watering and schedule setting.

The delimitation of this project is that it only covers the design and implementation of the

hardware and software components of the system. It does not include the following aspects:

1. The installation and maintenance of the system in different environments and locations.

2. The evaluation and optimization of the system performance and efficiency.

3. The comparison and integration of the system with other existing or similar systems.
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4. The ethical and social implications of the system on the users and the environment.

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Smart Plant Watering Systems

Water is essential for plant health, but many people don't know when or how much to

water, which frequently results in plant death. Gardening aficionados can't customize existing

options like drip irrigation or automatic watering systems. (Srithar, Vishal Vinod, Mona Sweata,

Karthika Gurubarani, & Abirami., 2021). According to Thinura Nethpiya Ariyaratne, Diyon

Yasaswin Vitharana, Don Ranul Deelaka, & Sumudu Maduranga Herath (2022), The present

strategy is founded on observation using the naked eye, which takes a long time. Automatic plant

disease detection can be used to find diseases in plants early on. To stop plant diseases, farmers

have been using a range of disease control methods on a regular basis. Plant disease

significantly affects plant growth, yield, and the quality of agricultural products. By applying

Internet. With the use of internet of things, you can check the temperature, humidity, and color,

this project aims to develop an automated system that can detect the presence of disease in plants

based on changes in the health state of plant leaves.

Application of Internet of things (IoT) in agriculture

The way we connect with the digital and physical worlds is changing as a result of the Internet of

Things (IoT), a revolutionary technology paradigm. This revolutionary idea pertains to an

extensive system of linked things and apparatuses that may exchange information and converse

via the internet, transforming a number of facets of our everyday existence and business sectors.

IoT is enabling previously unheard-of levels of automation, connection, and data-driven insights

in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, and smart cities.

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The agricultural industry is undergoing a revolution thanks to a collection of cutting-edge

technology called the Internet of Things (IoT), which is equipping farmers to meet the massive

problems of the twenty-first century. An information-driven agricultural management system is

represented by precision agriculture (PA), commonly referred to as site-specific farming. By

providing ongoing soil/plant monitoring and exact treatment, the PA management system is

intended to enhance agricultural processes. The newest technology allows a cloud-based IoT

control center to gather and interpret real-time data about the environment and crops in order to

plant, fertilize, and harvest crops at the right moment and for the right amount of time. This

makes it possible to accomplish IoT-embedded PA and raise agricultural production's quality,

quantity, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. An outline of the current state of affairs is given

in this chapter. (Zhang, Dabipi & Brown jr., 2018)

According to mishra, kumar and patel (2021), For the current fiscal year 2020–21, India has set a

target for food grain output of 298.3 million tons, which is 2.5% more than the targets for the

previous fiscal year. In India, the agriculture industry accounts for 17% of the total GDP. IoT-

based agriculture apps are crucial for Indian farmers in order to empower them and,

consequently, the Indian economy.

CHAPTER III

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Technicality of the Project

The proponents have used application-based program wherein they can access thru

mobile phones so they can monitor the water level and soil moisture, also they can easily

remotely manage the water pump. Also, the proponents used some external hardware devices
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that being used by the proponents in the project: Arduino board, Soil Moisture Sensor Module,

Water Level Sensor Module, Submersible Water Pump, Relay module, Jumper wires,

Breadboard and Power Source. Lastly, There are some technical terms that have in used in this

project: Visual Studio Code, C, C++, React Native, JavaScript, JSX, HTM, CSS, JSON,

TypeScript and SQL.

Details of the technologies to be used

In developing the project, the following technology tools will be used:

VS Code – In the development of the system, we made use of Microsoft Visual

Studio Code for encoding the source code of the system, in order to be the accurate
and fast acquisition of data and information.
VS Code – In the development of the system, we made use of Microsoft Visual
Studio Code for encoding the source code of the system, in order to be the accurate
and fast acquisition of data and information.
VS Code – In the development of the system, we made use of Microsoft Visual
Studio Code for encoding the source code of the system, in order to be the accurate
and fast acquisition of data and information.
VS Code – In the development of the system, we made use of Microsoft Visual
Studio Code for encoding the source code of the system, in order to be the accurate
and fast acquisition of data and information.
Visual Studio Code – In order to create a mobile application. The developers use Visual Studio

Code for encoding the source code, to be the accurate and fast acquisition of data information.

React Native – Developers used React Native as a to create mobile applications that can run on

both iOS and Android platforms.

JavaScript - Developers utilize it to write application logic, user interface components, and

interact with native APIs.

JSX – This is used to define the structure and appearance of UI components in React Native

applications.

HTML/CSS – This is used to understand the layout and styling concepts, as well as for web-

related development tasks.

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JSON – The proponent used JSON to lightweight data interchange format commonly used for

sending and receiving data between a client and a server. In React Native applications, you often

work with JSON data when communicating with APIs.

TypeScript – The developers choose to use TypeScript, a typed superset of JavaScript, for React

Native development. TypeScript provides static typing, which can help catch errors early and

improve code quality.

SQL – The developers need to store data locally or interact with a remote database, so the

developers use SQL for database operations. SQLite is a commonly used database engine for

mobile applications, including those developed with React Native.

C/C++ - The developers used this to code and run the prototype of Smart Plant Watering System

with Mobile Control and Moisture Sensing Technology using Arduino.

Arduino board – It provide the necessary computational power and interfaces to interact with

various sensors and actuators.

Soil Moisture Sensor Module – It measure the moisture content in soil. It typically consists of

probes that are inserted into the soil, providing data on soil humidity levels.

Water Level Sensor Module – It is used to detect the level of water in a container or reservoir.

It employs various mechanisms such as conductive probes or ultrasonic sensors to measure water

levels accurately.

Submersible Water Pump – It is commonly used for pumping water from container to

sprinkler.

Relay module – It is used to control high-power devices such as motors, pumps, or heaters using

a low-power signal from the Arduino board.

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Jumper wires – It is flexible wires with connectors at each end, commonly used to create

electrical connections on a breadboard or to connect components to a circuit. They allow for easy

prototyping and experimentation.

Breadboard – It is a reusable prototyping board used to create temporary circuits without the

need for soldering. It consists of a grid of interconnected metal strips that allow for the quick

assembly and testing of electronic circuits.

Power Source – It provides the necessary electrical power to the Arduino board and other

components in the project.

How the project will work

The proponents had decided to use Software Development Life Cycle model (SDLC) in

developing the mobile application of Smart Plant Watering System with Mobile Control and

Moisture Sensing Technology and it is also adapted in prototyping the hardware using arduino.

There 6 phases or stages in SDLC: planning, analysis, design, implementation, testing, and

maintenance. First phase is planning, In planning phase, the proponents defined the problem.

Second phase is analysis. In analysis phases in mobile application the researchers analyzed the

requirements needed to perform the high-quality application. On the other hand, on the hardware,

the researchers analyzed the flow of the project and how process works. Third phase is design. In

the design phase in mobile applications the researchers used figma and on the hardware they

used Arduino simulators. For the forth phase it is implementation. In implementation phase in

order to implement the design of the mobile application the researchers used Visual Studio Code

application to code and for the language the researchers used React Native, JavaScript, JSX,

HTM, CSS, JSON, TypeScript and SQL. On the other hand, in order to implement the design of

the hardware they used some external hardware devices such as Arduino board, Soil Moisture

Sensor Module, Water Level Sensor Module, Submersible Water Pump, Relay module, Jumper
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wires, Breadboard and Power Source. Also, they used C and C++ Language in Arduino IDE to

run the Arduino. The fifth phase is testing, in this phase the researchers must ensure that all

buttons and all functionalities are working. Lastly, the last phase is maintenance the researchers

need to monitor and maintain the Arduino project and mobile application after deployment to

ensure its continued functionality and performance.

Functional Requirements:

 Watering Control: The system should automatically water the plants based on the soil

moisture level and the user’s preference.

 Water Source Selection: The system should prioritize the use of rainwater collected in a

tank. If the tank is empty, it should switch to tap water.

 Remote Monitoring and Control: The system should allow the user to monitor the soil

moisture level, the water level in the tank, and the watering status of each plant through a

mobile application.

 Manual Watering: The system should allow the user to manually water the plants

through the mobile application.

 Watering Schedule: The system should allow the user to set a watering schedule

through the mobile application.

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 Alerts and Notifications: The system should send alerts and notifications to the user

when the water level in the tank is low or when the soil moisture level of a plant is low.

Non-Functional Requirements:

 Reliability: The system should function reliably under normal and extreme weather

conditions.

 Efficiency: The system should use water efficiently to minimize waste.

 Usability: The mobile application should be user-friendly and easy to use.

 Security: The system should secure the user’s data and protect the system from

unauthorized access.

 Scalability: The system should be able to handle a large number of plants.

 Maintainability: The system should be easy to maintain and update.

 Cost-effectiveness: The system should be cost-effective, prioritizing the use of rainwater

to reduce water bills.

 Connectivity: The system should maintain a stable connection with the mobile

application through Bluetooth and the internet.

 Power Efficiency: The system should operate on low power and have power-saving

modes to conserve energy.

 Durability: The system components should be durable and resistant to outdoor

conditions.

 Portability: The system should be portable and easy to install in different locations.

 Interoperability: The system should be able to work with different types of smartphones

and operating systems.

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Srithar, V.K., Vishal Vinod, K., Mona Sweata, S.K., Karthika Gurubarani, M., Abirami, K. (2021). A

Smart Plant Watering System for Indoor Plants with Optimum Time Prediction for Watering. In:

Suma, V., Chen, J.IZ., Baig, Z., Wang, H. (eds) Inventive Systems and Control. Lecture Notes in

Networks and Systems, vol 204. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-1395-

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https://arxiv.org/abs/2202.08153

https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119456735.ch18