In this cyber era, novelty plays a prime role in the field of agriculture that majorly depends on computer-based measurements and control. Herein before, it was totally controlled and performed by the agriculturists. One of the technological innovative methods to measure and monitor the turmeric finger growth characteristics is the embedded system that is based on sensor array module such as flex sensor, temperature sensor and pH sensor. The experimental work has been designed and tested with five set of nodes and the growth of turmeric finger is tenuously monitored by measuring the change in flex resistance. Out of five nodes, two nodes were diseased. Deliberately, one node was left as such and the other node was treated with natural pesticides (pseudomonas and viride) to restrict the rhizome rot disease attack. After cultivation, it was found that the rhizome rot disease attack on the node which was treated with pesticides was comparatively lesser than the other node. The five different nodes have been used in the experimental work with an average flex sensor resistance of 3.962 cm/kΩ. In a nutshell, this proposed method manifests the farmers to detect the rhizome rot disease at its earlier stage and to prevent it as well by screening the growth of the turmeric fingers when it is under the soil.
Agriculture is acquiring more importance in the ongoing modern era with the incorporation of computer integrated technology and application of advanced control systems [
The need for the new methodologies to meet the challenges of intricacy prevailing in the agricultural scenario has also led to the emergence of precision agriculture. Precision agriculture is very much useful in improving the efficiency of performance of agricultural land and also increases the quality and reliability in spite of the ruggedness in the environment [
“Indian Saffron” as it is called, the turmeric with a long past of 4000 years of medicinal usage and also as an integral part of drugs, cosmetics and dye industries. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium forms the vital nutrient requirement whereas the calcium, magnesium and Sulphur are the follow-on nutrients. The root characteristic is estimated using various sensors like flex sensor, temperature and pH sensors. The fingers of turmeric get affected by fungus during 4th month of its growth and the rhizome rot disease is unpredictable because it is underground. The above mentioned rhizome rot diseases is noticed when it spreads out as “Leaf Spot” [
In this research, an innovative method of investigating the turmeric finger growth with flex sensors using embedded system and the definite advantage of detection of rhizome rot disease in the earlier stage itself is proposed. The various sensors used are LM35 for temperature measurement and PHE-45P is used to measure soil pH range. The sensor array collects the data of n-number of nodes and transmits it individually using Zigbee module [
As shown in
1) Field data measurement module [FDMM- 5 numbers].
2) Centre data processing module [CDPM].
3) Data logging and analysis module [DLAM].
To test this experimental setup 0.25 hectare of land was chosen. A module with five designed nodes had been put into practice without a specific location in the field to notify the readings from five nodes. Each field data measurement module (FDMM) comprised of a) temperature, b) pH and c) five flex sensors. The setup was kept at random in order to predict whether the turmeric finger was affected by the disease. Electrical signal outputs from temperature, pH and flex sensors were given to the signal conditioning unit so as to strengthen and sent to microcontroller’s internal Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) module. The converted digital values were then processed into temperature value, pH value and flex resistance by the software in the microcontroller (LPC2148). The microcontroller was programmed to store values taken at three time intervals―8:00 am, 12:30 pm and 4:00
pm on a regular basis. To minimize the power consumption, microcontroller’s internal real time clock was programmed to find out and store the readings for about 3 days and the data were transferred to the centre co-ordinating node via ZigBee transmitter. The obtained data were sequentially transferred in the form of message to computer which was at remote location via GSM technology [
The flex sensor was used to assess the angle displacement of the crop and it is capable of bending physically. Robotics, Gaming (Virtual Motion), Medical Devices, Computer Peripherals, Musical Instruments Physical Therapy, Simple Construction and Low Profile are some of the other real time application of flex sensors. The array of five flex sensors were fixed in the specified position around the plant for observing the finger growth. The four sensors F1, F2, F3, and F4 had been fixed on four sides (around) of the plant. Whereas F5 was positioned at the tip of the plant to screen the descendent turmeric finger growth and it showed the maximum growth rate rather than the other sensors. The electrical resistance of flex sensor is 10 kΩ and the value varied pertinent to the force applied. The flex sensor has a power rating of about 0.5 Watts.
The flex sensor and its signal conditioning unit are shown in
(Gain A = 1; Unity Gain)
So
where
R1 is the flex sensor resistance and varies accordingly to its bend.
The error due to the source impedance of flex sensor acting as a voltage divider is reduced by decreasing the bias current and then the operational amplifier can be used in the basic flex sensor circuit as an impedance buffer (Q1). Output from the operational amplifier is fed to the microcontroller 10 bit ADC.
where VREF = Reference voltage to ADC (1 V), VSSA = Analog Ground (0 V)
Resolution (1 LSB = (1-0)/1024 = 0.977 mv
The variance of resistance measurement was between 10.1 kΩ and 13.8 kΩ. Hence output voltage from the
impedance buffer was between 2.1008 V (for 13.8 kΩ) and 2.4876 V (for 10.1 kΩ) respecting the Equation (2). Due to the small variations in the voltage, it was required to increase the range of voltage by using differential amplifier. Voltage to the ADC circuit was computed by the Equation (4)
where
According to the Equation (4), output voltage from differential amplifier was between 0.7984 V and 0.0248 V. Since the flex sensor is more flexible [
One of the precision integrated circuit temperature sensors are known as LM35 series. It is majorly used for remote applications and the output which is directly proportional to the centigrade [
The temperature measurement circuit diagram is shown in
The PHE-45P sensor measures the pH value of aqueous solution used in the industrial and municipal process application. PHE-45P electrode is made of glass and the PHE-45P sensor’s glass electrode must be ensured to be
always wet for its proper functionality. These sensors are enabling immediate usage due to the fluid filled cap over it. In order to restore functionality, the electrode should be hydrated for 24 hours if it is dried and must be mounted vertically (electrode facing down) possible and also after purchasing the sensor. While mounting the angle of sensor must be at least 10˚ above horizontal. The life time of the sensor is maximised using a high volume dual junction salt-bridge and the chance of fouling is minimised using the annular junction which provides a large surface area. Further the contamination of the reference solution is diminished using the large electrolyte volume and dual reference junctions. The second glass pH electrode immersed in a reference solution acts as the reference element and this reference system importantly increases the range of sensor applications.
The integrated preamplifier is attached with the sensor. The low impedance signal is created from the amplifier to fetch the stable readings in noisy environment. The electrode breakage, loss of sensor seal integrity or integral temperature element failure warning can be given to the user using the system diagnostics in the sensor. The temperature sensor used in PHE-45P is called Pt1000 RTD which is used for obtaining highly linear and accurate output.
To test the performance of the system (mainly on flex sensor), an artificial method of turmeric finger rhizome rot disease was caused by stacking the water for more than two days to some of the nodes.
The CDPM module consists of one central co-ordinating node that collects the information on the five different nodes via Zigbee communication. On interrupt basis (periodic updates based on RTC), out of the five nodes, the CDPM module receives data and that has been communicated to DLAM module via GSM. The product of Zigbee is XBEE module which is primarily used for fulfilling the IEEE 802.15.4 standards and requirements of the wireless sensor networks such as low cost, low power [
The DLAM module consists of one GSM receiver and one personal computer. GSM module receives the data and that has been converted to RS232 voltage (TTL logic to RS232 logic) by MAX232 IC. On both transmitter and receiver part SIM900 module has been used. After getting the data, data are being stored in the computer by using visual basic (VB) software for continuous monitoring of the parameter deviation.
A module has been designed with array sensors such as flex sensor, Temperature sensor and pH sensor which transmit data via the ZigBee module.
The moisture content of the soil was measured on watering and raining using pH readings as shown in the graph and the five different nodes 1 through node 5 were placed in different places under the soil.
During rain, the inference was low in temperature and the awareness about the basic growing conditions of turmeric, the crop becomes strong and vibrant based on soil, water and atmospheric temperature. The proposed system was implemented in the month of May because turmeric is cultivated between the month of May and June. The temperature remains very high and also increases the soil temperature. All the nodes were watered during evening (between 5 pm and 7 pm) except the node 2 and 5 which were watered during day time (between 11 am and 2 pm). From
In an array of flex sensors N1 through N5 represents the individual node that consists of 5 sensors (5 flex sensor (F1 to F5) × 5 nodes = 25 sensors were used). The positions of five individual flex sensors are shown in the following
Growth Result
Node average growth rate with respective to flex sensor resistance Gavg is found using the Equation (5).
CHANGE IN RESISTANCE (kΩ) | FINGER LENGTH (cm) |
---|---|
0.6 | 2.4 |
0.7 | 2.8 |
2.7 | 10.6 |
2.8 | 11.1 |
2.9 | 11.5 |
where
F = Finger length in cm
R = Change in resistance in kilo ohm
n = Number of distinguished reading during measurement
Growth Result
The average flex resistance with respect to the finger growth is 3.96 cm/kΩ in the node 2 with 7 and 12 numbers of primary and secondary branches. The maximum and minimum length of finger was 10.3 cm and 2.4 cm respectively with the yield of 0.273 kg. The polished turmeric yield was 0.055 kg for sale after the steam and dry process. The yield was average because the node 2 had kept in the middle of the row with an optimum distance between the crops.
CHANGE IN RESISTANCE (kΩ) | FINGER LENGTH (cm) |
---|---|
0.6 | 2.4 |
0.8 | 3.2 |
1.8 | 7.1 |
2.3 | 9.1 |
2.6 | 10.3 |
Growth Result
CHANGE IN RESISTANCE (kΩ) | FINGER LENGTH (cm) |
---|---|
0.2 | 0.8 |
0.2 | 0.8 |
0.8 | 3.2 |
1.1 | 4.3 |
1.5 | 6 |
The average flex resistance with respect to the finger growth is 3.96 cm/kΩ in the node 3 with 7 and 1 numbers of primary and secondary branches. The maximum and minimum length of finger was 6 cm and 0.8 cm respectively with the yield of 0.127 kg. The polished turmeric yield was 0.025 kg for sale after the steam and dry process. An artificial method of turmeric finger Rhizome rot disease was caused by stacking water for more than two days. Hence the yield was very low. The natural pesticides like pseudomonas and viride were not intentionally applied on the affected turmeric crop (node 3) for testing the rhizome rot disease.
Growth Result
The average flex resistance with respect to the finger growth is 3.96 cm/kΩ in the node 4 with 12 and 25
CHANGE IN RESISTANCE (kΩ) | FINGER LENGTH (cm) |
---|---|
1.8 | 7.1 |
2.5 | 10 |
2.9 | 11.5 |
3.3 | 13 |
3.5 | 13.9 |
numbers of primary and secondary branches. The maximum and minimum length of finger was 13.9 cm and 7.1 cm respectively with the yield of 1.396 kg. The polished turmeric yield was 0.28 kg for sale after the steam and dry process. The distance between the crops was optimum in node 4 which is kept in the middle of the row [
Initially, it was found that there was growth in all nodes (F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5 of node 4) and at the middle (F2, F3 and F5) there were no further improvements in the growth. Thereby, it was identified that the above said nodes were attacked by Rhizome rot disease. After identifying the Rhizome rot disease, natural pesticides (pseudomonas and viride) were applied which resulted in an improvement on those nodes. The yield was more as compared to that of the node 3 which was affected and not treated for rhizome rot disease.
Growth Result
CHANGE IN RESISTANCE (kΩ) | FINGER LENGTH (cm) |
---|---|
0.4 | 1.6 |
0.8 | 3.1 |
2.5 | 9.9 |
2.7 | 10.7 |
3 | 11.9 |
The average flex resistance with respect to the finger growth is 3.96 cm/kΩ in the node 4 with 8 and 16 numbers of primary and secondary branches. The maximum and minimum length of finger was 11.9 cm and 1.6 cm respectively with the yield of 0.397 kg. The polished turmeric yield was 0.08 kg for sale after the steam and dry process. Naturally, there was no Rhizome rot disease attack in node 5.
The application of nitrogen (N) and potash (K2O) as well as two micronutrients Zinc (Zn) and boron (B) play an essential role on growth and yield [
In the agricultural field at present the technology occupies a paramount position and it is important because agriculture forms the backbone of India occupying the major portion of economy by increasing its yield. The greatest requisites of this period are the amalgamation of computer technology in the agricultural field. By using embedded system, sensor array module with array of sensors such as flex sensor, temperature sensor and pH sensor were used to view the turmeric finger growth characteristics. The ZigBee and the GSM module had been used for communicating the data wirelessly and the overall growth rate had been estimated by examining the graph plotted on a daily analysis. The five different nodes have been used in the experimental work with an average flex sensor resistance of 3.962 cm/kΩ. Of the five nodes, the node 3 and 4 were diseased and 3 was left as such purposely while the node 4 was treated with pseudomonas and viride to restrict the Rhizome rot disease. It was finally observed that node 4 contained comparatively less rhizome disease than node 3. The definite advantage of this system is the early detection of the diseases and monitors the growth of the turmeric fingers when it is under the soil. By implementing this concept, farmers can be greatly guided to predict the final outcome by testing the growth rate and to take preventive measures in the early stage.
Maheswaran Shanmugam,Asokan Ramasamy,Sivaranjani Paramasivam,Priyadharshini Prabhakaran, (2016) Monitoring the Turmeric Finger Disease and Growth Characteristics Using Sensor Based Embedded System —A Novel Method. Circuits and Systems,07,1280-1296. doi: 10.4236/cs.2016.78112