Root Check: Real-time Plant Health Monitoring and Irrigation Control
SALIM, SOURAV DIWANIA, SUMIT SHARMA, NATWAR SINGH RATHORE, JYOTI
SRIVASTAVA, RUCHIKA SINGH
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Technical University
KIET GROUP OF INSTITUTIONS DELHI-NCR, GHAZIABAD
INDIA
Abstract: - Ensuring the stability and profitability of aquatic plants is a critical concern in modern agriculture.
This research seeks to develop an intelligent communication system for monitoring plant health. Despite the
advanced data visualization and forecasting capabilities of existing technologies, many farmers are not fully
utilizing them. Our innovative technology analyzes key factors like temperature and humidity to make
informed decisions about water pumping from the generator. System reduces the complexity of managing
plant health, converting sensor data into meaningful visuals in platforms like Adafruit Cloud and IoT
interfaces. Additionally, the system sends emails to notify farmers about the real time status of the
farm. (Saving water and avoiding regular maintenance). Combining ancient farming methods with
modern innovations is the goal of the Trans Agriculture technique.
Key-Words: - ESP 8266, Smart Agriculture, IoT, DHT 11.
Received: September 23, 2023. Revised: March 11, 2024. Accepted: May 14, 2024. Published: July 9, 2024.
1 Introduction
In developing nations, including India, water
scarcity is a serious issue especially in north
India. Our study aims to solve this by coming
up with innovative ways to conserve water and
reduce the need of human intervention for
maintenance purpose. The proposed idea is to
replace water-intensive plants with low-water,
low-maintenance alternatives. Additionally,
utilizing sensor data to monitor plant health and
determine optimal watering schedules can
significantly improve water efficiency and plant
care. This approach not only conserves water
but also ensures plants receive the precise
amount of water for growth, enhancing their
health and resilience. We recommend using soil
and environmental condition measurement
equipment to accomplish this [1]. Using this
data, a decision-making model will determine
when to water the plants most effectively,
saving water and cutting down on waste. Using
the model to forecast plant health and supply
crucial data, we also intend to design a specific
growing environment for these water-saving
plants. Our system is designed to automatically
manage the water pump according to soil moisture
content, promoting efficient water usage. It also
incorporates safety features, such as a fire detection
buzzer. Unlike other research that primarily
emphasizes temperature, our approach considers the
overall health of the plants and provides a
visualization of sensor data. In our approach, we
take into account both the ambient temperature
around the plant and the plant's own
temperature. Additionally, our system will send
email alerts about plant health, allowing for timely
intervention and maintenance.
2 Literature Survey
An in-depth analysis of existing smart buildings
showing progress within the water management
and irrigation category. For example, a smart
home irrigation system based on Wireless
Sensor Network (WSN) and actuation proposed
to adjust water delivery according to the
specific demands of different plants [2].
Wireless sensor network combined with a
mobile data acquisition system effectively
measures soil moisture and conveys real-time
information useful in planning the best times for
irrigation of rice crops. They developed real-
time soil moisture sensors and irrigation control
systems in California, using their XBEE
International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
DOI: 10.37394/232027.2024.6.13
Salim, Sourav Diwania,
Sumit Sharma, Natwar Singh Rathore,
Jyoti Srivastava, Ruchika Singh
E-ISSN: 2769-2507
115
Volume 6, 2024
wireless communication module to transmit
sensor data wirelessly back to a central
computer for cloud irrigation solutions with
water scarcity areas [3]. In this study author
states that the development of a comprehensive
IoT-based system, dubbed "Root Check," that
aims to streamline and optimize these critical
agricultural processes [4]. The study focused on
different objectives: first, to develop a
hydroponic system that can effectively monitor
and regulate key parameters such as air
temperature, root temperature, humidity, and
pH. Secondly, to support IoT technology to
provide real-time control and monitoring
capabilities, enabling farmers to oversee and
manage their hydroponic operations remotely
[5]. A system was created to measure soil pH,
temperature, and moisture content using sensors
like LM35, pH 100, and HS-220, providing
farmers with critical soil information for
maintaining plant health [6]. Study proposed a
system to simplify water management by
monitoring tank water level and accurately
calculating the water required for irrigation in
the field [7]. According to the article given
innovation is a GPS-enabled, remote-controlled
robot designed for tasks such as moisture
detection, temperature detection, spraying, and
insect control. This system includes real-time
monitoring of humidity and temperature to
facilitate intelligent decision-making [8]. These
advancements focus on leveraging technology
to improve water management practices [9]. A
smart water system to meet pipeline energy
needs, promote environmental protection
through water conservation, and reduce carbon
dioxide emissions Proposed [10]. While these
advancements demonstrate progress in water-
saving irrigation technology, most existing
systems lack user-friendly platforms for
communicating and predicting plant health
based on environmental conditions or visual
data. Addressing these limitations, our proposed
smart plant watering system aims to integrate
comprehensive monitoring and predictive
capabilities for enhanced plant health
management.
3 Proposed Smart Plant Monitoring
System
Our smart plant-monitoring system utilizes various
sensors to gather crucial data on soil pH,
temperature, and moisture levels, all aimed at
assessing plant water requirements. These sensors
continuously monitor the soil conditions unless
manually deactivated by the user, these sensors
continuously monitor soil conditions. The decision
tree method then uses the collected data to evaluate
the overall health of the plant. To provide users with
easy access to this data, we offer a cloud platform
that displays sensor information and assesses plant
health. Farmers receive email notifications
containing updated plant health information once
the assessment is complete. At the core of our
hardware is the Arduino UNO board, which
interfaces with essential sensors via specific pins
(e.g., flame, pH, and DHT sensors connected to pins
4, 2, and A0, respectively). The DHT sensors
specifically detect both pH and temperature levels.
Pin 5 connects to a buzzer for alert notifications.
Pins 0 and 1 connect the WiFi module to the cloud
platform for communication. A 16x2 LCD is used to
show real-time actions and sensor outputs,
providing immediate feedback of system
performance. To interface the LCD with the
Arduino the I2C protocol is used, which simplifies
wiring by using just two pins: SDA (Serial Data)
and SCL (Serial Clock). These pins facilitate
communication between the Arduino and the LCD.
Additionally, pins 7, 8, 9, and 10 on the Arduino are
connected to the LCD screen to handle display
messages effectively. Pin 6 is connected to the
ULN2003 IC, which is utilized for driving special
bits that control various operations within the
system. This integrated setup ensures accurate
monitoring and management of plant health by
optimizing water usage and providing essential real-
time data to the user.
4 Material and Methods
4.1 Soil Moisture Sensor
A soil moisture sensor measures the volumetric
water content in the soil by utilizing properties like
International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
DOI: 10.37394/232027.2024.6.13
Salim, Sourav Diwania,
Sumit Sharma, Natwar Singh Rathore,
Jyoti Srivastava, Ruchika Singh
E-ISSN: 2769-2507
116
Volume 6, 2024
resistivity, dielectric constant, or interaction with
neutrons. This measurement is crucial for
understanding soil moisture levels without the need
for manual gravimetric measurements, which
involve removing, drying, and weighing soil
samples.
Specifications of the Old Soil Moisture Sensor:
Operating voltage: 3.3V–5V dual output mode, with
analog output being more accurate
includes a fixed bolt hole for easy installation.
Features a power indicator (red) and a digital
switching output indicator (green). Equipped with
an LM393 comparator chip for stability
Panel PCB Dimension: 3cm x 15cm
Soil Probe Dimension: 6cm x 3cm
Cable Length: Approximately 21cm
VCC: 3.3V–5V
GND: Ground
4.2 Jumper Wire
A jumper wire is a simple wire with two male
connector pins used to connect two components
without soldering. When needed, we often use it
with breadboards and other prototyping equipment
to facilitate easy circuit modification.
4.3 Node MCU
For the ESP8266 WiFi chip, Node MCU is an open-
source firmware based on LUA. It provides a
development board (also known as a kit) for
exploring the capabilities of the ESP8266 chip. The
ESP8266 chip is a low-cost WiFi module that
supports the TCP/IP protocol, and it serves as the
core of the Node MCU development kit and board.
4.4 Relay
A single-channel relay module is a board used to
control high-voltage and high-current devices such
as motors, solenoid valves, lights, and AC loads.
Microcontrollers such as Arduino and Node MCU
can interface with it. Screw terminals can connect
the relay terminals (COM, NO, and NC), while
LEDs display the relay's status.
4.5 Humidity and Temperature Sensor
The DHT11 sensor combines temperature and
humidity sensing capabilities with calibrated digital
signal output. It features a built-in 8-bit
microprocessor for reliable performance and long-
term stability. Additionally, it includes an NTC
temperature measurement sensor for wet conditions.
4.6 PIR Motion Sensor
Passive infrared (PIR) sensors detect human or
animal movement by sensing infrared radiation
levels. They consist of pyroelectric sensors that
passively receive infrared radiation from the
environment. When a human or animal passes by,
their body heat causes a change in the sensor's
infrared radiation levels, triggering the sensor to
generate an electrical signal.
4.7 16x2 Display
The 16x2 LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) can display
up to 16 characters per line and 2 lines. Electronic
projects commonly use it to display text or
information. The LCD includes a built-in controller
that interprets and executes commands for tasks
such as adjusting cursor position, displaying images,
and controlling screen on/off status.
4.7 Water Pump
The Node MCU's 5V output directly powers the
water pumps used in this context due to their low
operating currents. This simplicity makes them ideal
for use in automatic irrigation systems, facilitating
easy and rapid prototyping.
5 Result and Discussion
The system measures soil and environmental
parameters around plant roots, displaying the data
graphs on the Adafruit Io cloud platform. The
monitor output identifies the highest values from
these readings. Users also receive an email report
regarding the health of the facility. The article uses
the sensor data output as an input for their search
algorithm.
International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
DOI: 10.37394/232027.2024.6.13
Salim, Sourav Diwania,
Sumit Sharma, Natwar Singh Rathore,
Jyoti Srivastava, Ruchika Singh
E-ISSN: 2769-2507
117
Volume 6, 2024
Fig. 1. Circuit diagram.
The ESP8266 reads sensor data periodically and
displays it on the LCD or sends it to a web server or
mobile app. It can also control the water pump
based on soil moisture, activating the pump when
moisture is low.
Fig. 2. Blynk IoT Platform.
The dashboard's features include:
Plant List:
On the left side, a list of monitored plants is
displayed. Although the image only displays one
plant, you can add multiple plants to the dashboard.
Sensor Readings:
The center of the dashboard displays sensor
readings for the selected plant. The specific readings
shown depend on the connected sensors. The image
shows a temperature sensor reading of 100, but we
can also include other sensors such as soil moisture
and light sensors.
Data History:
Graphs at the bottom show the history of sensor
readings over time, aiding in identifying trends in
plant health.
Controls:
The dashboard may include controls for connected
devices, such as a water pump. However, no
controls are visible in the image.
Blynk dashboards are accessible via web browsers
or mobile apps, enabling remote monitoring of
plants from anywhere.
Fig. 3. Input Configuration on Blynk Platform.
Fig. 4. Control Configuration on Blynk Platform.
International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
DOI: 10.37394/232027.2024.6.13
Salim, Sourav Diwania,
Sumit Sharma, Natwar Singh Rathore,
Jyoti Srivastava, Ruchika Singh
E-ISSN: 2769-2507
118
Volume 6, 2024
Fig. 5. Smartphone layout of Blynk Platform.
The app appears to be monitoring the following:
Temperature: The temperature is currently
reading 29.20 degrees Celsius.
Humidity: The humidity is currently at
65.00%.
Soil Moisture: The app does not display
the soil moisture numerically, but it does
have a gauge that appears to be half full,
suggesting moderate moisture levels.
PIR Sensor: The PIR sensor is currently
reading "ON,” which means it has detected
motion.
Motion: Motion is also listed as "ON,”
which corroborates the PIR sensor reading.
Water Pump: The water pump is currently
reading "ON.".
Here are some of the possible benefits of using a
smart plant monitoring system:
It helps to prevent over-watering and
under-watering. By monitoring the soil
moisture, you can water your plants only
when they need it. This can help prevent
root rot and other problems caused by over-
watering.
Helps identify potential problems: By
monitoring the temperature, humidity, and
other factors, you can identify potential
problems early on, such as if your plant is
getting too hot or too cold.
Some smart plant monitoring systems are
capable of controlling other devices, like
grow lights or irrigation systems.
4 Conclusion
Our smart watering system utilizes an array of
sensors and employs advanced algorithms to
optimize water usage and monitor tree health
effectively. By analyzing tree patterns, the system
can intelligently determine the optimal watering
schedule, conserving water while promoting plant
growth. The system autonomously evaluates plant
health, sending email alerts to farmers and
displaying detailed information on a cloud platform
for prompt action. These innovations signify a
significant leap in permaculture practices and
precision agriculture, potentially revolutionizing
agricultural water management and facility
maintenance.
Acknowledgement:
We would like to thank the IEC Club, Department
of Electrical and Electronics for their invaluable
technical support at the KIET Group of Institutions.
Their assistance has been instrumental in the
development of our project.
Declaration of Generative AI and AI-assisted
technologies in the writing process.
During the preparation of this work, the authors
used ChatGPT, a generative AI tool developed by
OpenAI, to enhance clarity and coherence in the
writing process. After using this tool/service, the
authors reviewed and edited the content as needed
and take full responsibility for the content of the
publication.
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International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
DOI: 10.37394/232027.2024.6.13
Salim, Sourav Diwania,
Sumit Sharma, Natwar Singh Rathore,
Jyoti Srivastava, Ruchika Singh
E-ISSN: 2769-2507
119
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Contribution of Individual Authors to the
Creation of a Scientific Article
SALIM – Hardware integration and Simulation
Dr. Sourav Diwania - Simulations
Dr. Sumit Sharma – Literature Survey
Dr. Natwar Singh Rathore - Drafting
Dr. Jyoti Srivastava - Drafting
Dr. Ruchika Singh - Drafting
Sources of Funding for Research Presented in a
Scientific Article or Scientific Article Itself
No funding was received for conducting this study.
Conflict of Interest
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare
that are relevant to the content of this article.
Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0
(Attribution 4.0 International, CC BY 4.0)
This article is published under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en
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International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
DOI: 10.37394/232027.2024.6.13
Salim, Sourav Diwania,
Sumit Sharma, Natwar Singh Rathore,
Jyoti Srivastava, Ruchika Singh
E-ISSN: 2769-2507
120
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