SENSOR-DRIVEN AUTOMATED PEST CONTROL AND PLANT HEALTH
MONITORING IN HYDROPONICS
In partial fulfillment of the requirements of the subject
ME3213—Methods of Research for ME
Recamadas, Vince Ryle E.
April 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page
Abstract
Introduction
Domain of Inquiry
Significance of the Study
Research Question
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE (RRL)
Related Studies
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design
Context and Informants
Instruments
Ethical Consideration
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Gaps
CONCLUSION
Summary of Findings
Recommendations
REFERENCES
SENSOR-DRIVEN AUTOMATED PEST CONTROL AND PLANT HEALTH
MONITORING IN HYDROPONICS
Introduction
Hydroponic farming has gained traction as a sustainable method of food production,
particularly in urban and resource-constrained areas (Siddiqui & Shah, 2022). Despite its
promise, managing pests and ensuring plant health in these controlled, soil-less environments is a
major challenge. Traditional pest control methods, such as chemical pesticides or manual
monitoring, are often unsuitable or labor-intensive in hydroponic systems (Panday & Prasad,
2024).
This study aims to address these challenges by developing an automated system for pest
detection and plant health monitoring, leveraging sensor technology and artificial intelligence
(AI). The system will utilize real-time data from various smart sensors, such as image
recognition cameras, vibration sensors, and infrared sensors, to detect pest presence and assess
plant health (Mdpi Technologies, 2022).
The goal is to enhance the sustainability, efficiency, and yield of hydroponic farming
through an automated, AI-driven approach to pest control (Patel & Thakur, 2021).
Domain of Inquiry
The study focuses on the intersection of hydroponics, sensor technology, and artificial
intelligence in agricultural automation. Specifically, it explores the use of sensors for pest
detection and plant health monitoring in hydroponic farming systems. Specifically, it aims to
answer the following questions:
1. How can sensor technologies and artificial intelligence be integrated into an automated
system for effective pest control and plant health monitoring in hydroponic farming
systems?
2. What is the impact of integrating AI-based image recognition and real-time sensor data
on the accuracy and efficiency of pest detection in hydroponic farming?
3. How does the automated pest control system, triggered by sensor data, influence plant
health, yield, and the reduction of pesticide usage in hydroponic systems?
Significance of the Study
This study seeks to reduce manual labor, decrease reliance on chemical pesticides, and
improve the overall productivity of hydroponic farming systems by automating insect control
and plant health monitoring. The integration of multiple sensor types and AI-driven responses
provides a potential solution to many challenges faced in modern, soil-less farming practices.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
This chapter reviews and discusses key concepts related to the integration of sensor
technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in pest control and plant health monitoring in
hydroponics. The section outlines relevant studies that pertain to the current paper in terms of
methods, sampling, participants, and results, in order to establish the background and identify the
information gap that this study aims to address.
Related Studies
A study conducted by Siddiqui, A., & Shah, K. (2022) titled “Automatic monitoring
system for hydroponic farming: IoT-based design and development”. This study investigates the
role of IoT in hydroponics, highlighting how automation can optimize various aspects of
farming, including pest control. It demonstrates that IoT-based systems can significantly enhance
the monitoring and management of hydroponic crops.
A study by Panday, R., & Prasad, M. (2024) titled “Automatic pest control system in
hydroponics using sensors”. This research focuses on the application of sensors for pest control
in hydroponics, emphasizing how different sensor technologies, such as vibration and thermal
sensors, can detect pest infestations and mitigate their effects effectively.
A quantitative study by Kumar, R., & Singh, D. (2022) titled “AI-based pest detection in
smart agriculture. The paper explores the use of AI in smart agriculture, specifically for pest
detection using image recognition. It demonstrates the potential of AI to enhance accuracy and
efficiency in pest management, suggesting its applicability in hydroponic systems.
A study accomplished by Mdpi Technologies(2022) titled “Smart agriculture sensor
systems in hydroponics: Integrating IR, vibration, and AI”. This article discusses how infrared,
vibration, and AI sensors can be integrated into hydroponic systems to monitor plant health and
detect pests. It presents evidence of the effectiveness of these technologies in improving plant
growth and early pest detection.
A study conducted by Patel, S., & Thakur, R. (2021) titled “Sensor fusion for precision
farming: A review”. This review explores the fusion of various sensor technologies in precision
farming. It examines how different sensors can work together to optimize farming practices,
including pest control and plant health monitoring.
The Related studies have focused on sensor technologies for pest control and plant health
monitoring in traditional and early hydroponic systems. These studies, however, were conducted
before the integration of automated systems. The current study shifts the focus to using real-time
sensor data and AI in automated hydroponic farming to enhance pest management and improve
crop yields. It explores how combining these technologies can optimize system efficiency and
scalability in modern hydroponics.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design
This study follows a mixed-methods research design, combining both qualitative and
quantitative approaches. It involves the development and testing of an automated system that
integrates various sensors and AI for pest control and plant health monitoring.
Context and Informant
The research will be conducted in a controlled hydroponic farming environment.
Informants include agricultural experts, hydroponic farmers, and technicians specializing in
sensor technology and AI systems.
Instruments
● Sensors: Optical, thermal, vibration, infrared, and environmental sensors will be used to
monitor pest presence and plant health.
● AI Model: A deep learning-based computer vision model for pest detection will be
developed.
● Data Loggers: These will be used to collect real-time data from sensors.
Ethical Consideration
Ethical concerns include ensuring that data privacy is maintained when using AI
models and sensors. All testing will be conducted in compliance with agricultural and
environmental safety regulations, and informed consent will be obtained from any stakeholders
involved.
Data Collection
Data will be collected through the sensors deployed in the hydroponic system,
recording variables such as pest detection rates, plant health metrics (e.g., chlorophyll content,
stress indicators), and system performance.
Data Analysis
Quantitative data will be analyzed using statistical methods to evaluate the
effectiveness of the pest detection and plant health monitoring system. Qualitative data from
interviews with experts will be analyzed thematically to provide insights into the system’s
practical applications and challenges.
Research Gaps
While existing studies have explored individual sensor technologies and AI for
agriculture, there is a lack of comprehensive research on their integration into a unified,
automated pest control system tailored for hydroponics. This study aims to fill this gap by
combining multiple sensor types with AI for real-time, responsive pest management.
CONCLUSION
This study proposes an automated pest control and plant health monitoring system for
hydroponics, integrating smart sensors with AI to enhance farming sustainability and
productivity. The research demonstrates that by automating the detection of pests and assessing
plant health in real-time, it is possible to reduce reliance on manual labor and chemical pesticides
while improving overall crop yield.
RECOMMENDATIONS
● Further research should explore the scalability of the proposed system to larger
hydroponic setups.
● The integration of more advanced AI techniques, such as reinforcement learning, could
enhance the system's adaptability and accuracy over time.
● Collaboration with hydroponic farms and technology developers is recommended to
refine and implement the system in real-world settings.
REFERENCES
● Kumar, R., & Singh, D. (2022). AI-based pest detection in smart agriculture.
International Journal of Agriculture and Biosystems, 8(2), 44–52.
● Mdpi Technologies. (2022). Smart agriculture sensor systems in hydroponics: Integrating
IR, vibration, and AI. Technologies, 10(1), 26. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7080/10/1/26
● Panday, R., & Prasad, M. (2024). Automatic pest control system in hydroponics using
sensors. International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and
Technology (IJIRSET), 13(5), 312–320.
https://www.ijirset.com/upload/2024/may/298_Automatic.pdf
● Patel, S., & Thakur, R. (2021). Sensor fusion for precision farming: A review. Sensors
Journal, 11(3), 112–126.
● Siddiqui, A., & Shah, K. (2022). Automatic monitoring system for hydroponic farming:
IoT-based design and development. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364538447
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
1. What is a literature review?
A literature review is a comprehensive summary and analysis of previous research on a
particular topic. It identifies existing studies, theories, methodologies, and findings, and
highlights gaps or areas for further investigation.
2. Why is a literature review important in research?
A literature review is important because it provides a foundation for the research, helps to
define the research problem, informs the research methodology, and identifies existing gaps or
contradictions in knowledge that the new research can address.
3. What are primary and secondary sources in literature review?
-Primary sources are original, firsthand accounts or data such as experiments, surveys,
interviews, and case studies.
- Secondary sources are analyses, interpretations, or summaries of primary data, such as
reviews, books, or articles based on primary research.
4. What criteria should be used to select literature sources?
- Relevance to the research topic.
- Credibility and authority of the author(s).
- The date of publication (more recent sources are often preferable).
- Peer-reviewed status.
- Methodological soundness and data quality.
5. What is a conceptual framework?
A conceptual framework is a structured model or system of concepts and variables that guides
the research process. It defines the relationships between key concepts and provides a visual or
theoretical structure for the study.
6. What are common research methodologies in engineering?
Common methodologies include:
- Experimental research.
- Simulation-based research.
- Case studies.
- Design and development studies.
- Surveys and interviews.
- Computational modeling.
7. How do you ensure the reliability of literature sources?
- Check if the source is peer-reviewed.
- Evaluate the reputation and qualifications of the author(s).
- Ensure the publication is from a credible publisher or journal.
- Look for consistency across multiple sources.
- Review the research methodology used in the study.
8. What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research?
- Qualitative research focuses on exploring phenomena and understanding meanings,
experiences, and social contexts (e.g., interviews, case studies).
- Quantitative research deals with measurable data and statistical analysis to quantify variables
and identify patterns (e.g., experiments, surveys).
9. How does literature review support hypothesis formulation?
A literature review provides existing evidence and findings, which help in identifying gaps or
contradictions that the hypothesis seeks to address. It helps refine the research questions and
guides the development of hypotheses based on prior knowledge.
10. What are research variables?
Research variables are elements that can change or vary within a study. These include
independent variables (which are manipulated), dependent variables (which are measured), and
controlled variables (which are kept constant).
11. What is the importance of defining a research methodology?
Defining a research methodology is important because it provides a clear plan for data
collection, analysis, and interpretation. It ensures that the research is structured, consistent, and
scientifically valid.
12. What ethical considerations should be addressed in methodology development?
Ethical considerations include obtaining informed consent from participants, ensuring
confidentiality, avoiding plagiarism, maintaining integrity in data collection and reporting, and
minimizing harm to participants.
13. How do you organize a literature review?
A literature review can be organized by:
- Thematic categories.
- Chronological order.
- Methodological approaches.
- Theoretical frameworks.
14. What is sampling in research?
Sampling is the process of selecting a subset of participants, items, or data from a larger
population to represent the whole group in research.
15. What is the role of pilot testing in research methodology?
Pilot testing involves conducting a small-scale trial of the research methodology to identify
any issues, test the feasibility of procedures, and ensure the reliability of instruments and data
collection methods.
16. How do you evaluate the credibility of research findings?
Evaluate the credibility by considering:
- The reputation of the journal or publisher.
- The expertise of the authors.
- The sample size and methodology used.
- The consistency of findings with other research.
- Peer reviews or citations of the study.
17. What are data collection techniques in mechanical engineering research?
Data collection techniques in mechanical engineering may include:
- Experiments and lab tests.
- Surveys and interviews with professionals.
- Observations of engineering systems.
- Simulations and modeling.
- Performance data from mechanical devices or systems.
18. What is triangulation in research?
Triangulation is the use of multiple methods, data sources, or theories to validate findings and
ensure the reliability and validity of research results.
19. How do you formulate a research design?
Formulate a research design by:
- Identifying the research problem and objectives.
- Deciding on the methodology (qualitative or quantitative).
- Choosing the sample and sampling techniques.
- Selecting data collection methods and tools.
- Defining the analysis methods.
- Planning for ethical considerations.
20. Why is it important to document research methodology?
Documenting the research methodology is essential because it provides transparency, ensures
reproducibility, and allows other researchers to evaluate, critique, and replicate the study.
