Literature Survey Brief Report on Embedded System Design for Automation of Floralculture

Abstract:

Floriculture is the art, science and business of growing and marketing flowers. Floriculture

covers a wide variety of flowers such as live plants, roots, cut flowers and flower bulbs. The

main problem in floriculture plants is to monitoring the atmospherically changes such as

temperature, humidity levels of the soil and to provide optimal usage of water resources,

fertilization for the plants. Traditional instrumentation based on discrete and wired solutions,

presents many difficulties on measuring and controlling the plants.

The main aim of the project to describe an application of a wireless sensor network and

real time monitoring system for floriculture. The Automation which involves continuous

monitoring of the fertilization to the plant, temperature, water pressure, and humidity levels with

the help of the sensor network nodes. The temperature for floriculture in the day time 25’cto 35’c

and in the night time 10’c to 15’c this will be controlled by using sprinklers, if the temperature is

too high the sprinklers will automatically turn on to reduce the temperature in the plant.The

water pressure will be controlled by the pressure sensor. The moisture or humidity levels of the

soil will be sensed by the humidity sensor and will be sending for water quantity request for

required supply. Water level identification sensor will identify the level of the water in the tank,

if not sufficient automatically switch ON the motor. The fertilization will be provided setting the

timer in the ARM micro controller, time based distribution of fertilizers will be done throughout

the plant. The sensor network nodes will collect the data in the network and processed to the

farmer through GSM network.

FLORICULTURE DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA

Introduction

Floriculture is becoming a booming industry in the World today. This sector, accordingto international trade classification, encompasses (a) bulbs, tubers and tuberous roots, (b)other live plants (including trees, shrubs, bushes, roots, cutting and slips), (c) cut- flowersand flower buds, fresh dried, dyed, bleached, impregnated or otherwise prepared, and (d)foliage, branches and other parts (other than flowers and buds) of trees shrubs, bushes andother plants and mosses, lichens and grasses, being goods of a kind suitable for bouquets orornamental purposes, fresh, dried, dyed, bleached, impregnated or otherwise prepared. TheGovernment of India has adopted a new Indian trade classification, which is based onHarmonized System (HS) of commodity Description and Coding Systems. HS Codes ofgovernment of India follow the Brussels Tariff Nomenclature (BTN). The description ofaccording to this comprise of the following:a). Bulbs, tubers and Tuberose roots: These are products that may be planted in pots, boxesor similar containers.b). Live plants: These are plants that are used for permanent or semi permanent decoration inoffices, homes and buildings. These are whole plants, which are suitable for planting or forornamental purposes.c). Cut-flowers: These are flowers and flower buds with a suitable stem of varying length,which makes them suitable for bouquets or for ornamental purposes. Examples of cut-flowersare roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, orchids, gladiolus etc.d). Cut foliage: These are leaves, twinges grasses, shoots etc. The economic value of theselies not in the decorative effect of the blossoms but in its colour and shape.d) Others: These include dried flowers and foliage, propagation materials, tissue culture plantsand starter and adult ornamental plants including houseplants. (For details, see, Dattatreyulu1997:1-2). In other words, floriculture covers a vide variety of flowers such as bulbs, tubers,live plants, shrubs, bushes, roots, cut flowers, flower bulbs, dried, bleached flowers andfoliage etc.In India, floriculture is emerging as an important commercial crop. A lot of importancehas been given to this sector due to its multiple uses, satisfying the aesthetic needs of thepeople, This is apart from creating more employment, ensuring higher rate of returns to ruralpeople and facilitating earning more foreign exchange. More specifically, they are being usedas raw materials in the manufacture of essence, perfumes, medicines and confectioneries fordirect consumption by the society.The production of flowers is an age-old occupation. This does not find a place in theliterature on horticultural crops. Until last decade, the growing and selling of flowers wasconfined to a few families. They grew a variety of flowers on the same land which weresold close to the house, as they could not survive a long journey. The situation in the lastdecade has however, changed. Now, different farmers are growing different flowers bothfor domestic market and export purposes. The flowers were, until 1960s, confined todomestic markets. These flowers are now moving long distances due to the availability ofairfreight and hi-tech cooling systems. The economic reforms and liberalisation policiesintroduced from 1991 and modified EXIM policies of 1995-96 and 1999-2002 have givenfillip to this sector. After liberalization, the Government of India identified this activity as a

sunrise industry and accorded it 100 per cent export-oriented status. Later, many writershave termed this industry as ”Rosy Business sector”, a Global Concern, BlossomingIndustry, Thrust Area, Money Spinning, Lucrative export-oriented sector etc. Growingdemand and much higher return per unit of land than any other agricultural activity hasprodded farmers to take to this sector. The growing demand for this product has alsoincreased on account of rapid urbanization, increase in individual purchasing power amongmiddle-income groups, increase in the number of IT Units, Hotels, Tourists, Temples,increase in GDP, Per capita Incomes, change in life-styles/ social values of the people,greater awareness among the people to improve the deteriorating environment andeconomic up-liftment of the people’s conditions.The Five-Year Plans which had not given due attention to this crop in the past havestarted giving more attention to it on account of its multiple use. In the Ninth Five YearPlan, about 40 crores were allocated to this sector (GOI 1996: 55) as against 17 crores inthe Eighth Five Year Plan (GOI 1996:49). This speaks of the importance given to thesector. This positive attitude enabled the country to achieve a breakthrough both in areaexpansion and production in the last 8 to 10 years.

Drip Irrigation System

There are several Drip and micro irrigation systems available for open field and Greenhouse / Poly tunnel watering. The principle is very simple and for all Drip irrigation Systems they basically consist of the same components.

1. A reliable water source that will be sufficient to grow a crop.2. A good filtration system to keep the drip pipes/ drip tape working correctly without

blocking (plugging)3. A pump or a header tank to supply the water to the drip pipe / tape.4. A series of pipes from the header tank, pump to the drip lines.5. It is also important that the system is designed to meet daily water requirements.6. The most important thing is that the system is designed to operate efficiently with the

correct size pipe to irrigate a specfic area.The above points are all just as important for micro irrigation systems.Below is a description of the open field irrigation systems that is used in many parts of the world.However the system below is talking about design of large areas of land with large volumes of water. The principles below are just the same as used in a very small garden drip system that only has a flow of _ m3 per hour using mains water or a tank. The valves are manual and the pipe size could be down to 8mm drip pipe. Using smaller size pipe makes simple drip systems very cost effective.Wroot Water Systems established in 1997 to service the requirements of irrigation through drip lines on potato crops. These unique automated systems are individually designed to grower’s specific requirements. Users vary in size from 10 to 100has plus. Individually designed using GPS mapping to customers requirements, they are both water efficient and cost effective. Using our own sourced connectors and fittings, leaks and problems associated with older and inferior drip systems are eliminated.An automated system uses a handheld controller to switch the individual valves on and off in sequence. Each block can be up to 4ha in size. One automated system can allow for the watering of several different crops, depending on the crop’s individual requirement. One of the main features of this system is the ease of installation with no additional cable, wiring or tubing in the

field. By applying fertilizer through the tape means both the cost and environmental issues are addressed in an efficient and cost effective manner. This is of particular use in rental situations.Water flow rates for the system are between 50-70m3/hr. Water pressure requirement is from 2-6bar, depending on distance and head. The working pressure of the tape is between 0.6-0.8 bar, with the emitter spacing of the tape being 20cm. Our Low Flow tape, proven in the field, ensures a gentle wetting of the soil structure around the rooting system so the plant receives the optimum amount of water required to achieve its full potential. This also makes it suitable for all soil types and particularly useful in areas where water is imited or small amounts are to be applied frequently. The tape is buried to a depth of approximately 1.5-2 inches. This can be done either at planting or soon after in a separate operation.Water is first filtered, either sand media or disc filter, depending on the water source. Transfer to the field is by either underground main, aluminium pipes or, because of the lower pressure requirements, lay-flat. It then goes into either an MDPE main of 9m lengths with Bauer couplings or lay-flat & from there through 80mm valves, which regulate the flow and reduce the pressure to that required by the tape. This is supplied by 90mm MDPE pipes, again with Bauer connectors, through saddle off-takes and twist connectors. These types of connections eliminate leaks and thus wet patches associated with conventional forms of irrigation, and makes for very efficient use of water.Radio controlled systems allow the control of pump, filtration, fertigation and valves, remotely and automatically from one location. Drip tape systems are currently in use in a wide variety of agricultural and horticultural crops, including potatoes, carrots, leeks, parsnips, onions, celery, asparagus, courgettes, strawberries and raspberries.A Typical Drip System Layout

Examples of Drip Irrigation Systems

Sprinklers Irigation System:

Solid Set Sprinklers are a very successful and reliable form of Irrigation. Wroot Water has been using the Coverline Sprinkler System for many years, working along side our suppliers to provide our customers with exactly what they need. The Coverline System has many advantages enableing irrigation to become as simple and hassle free as possible. The adaptability and versatility of the Coverline System means that, no matter how large or small an area you want to irrigate a suitable system can be designed. This also means if you are wanting to trial Coverline

Irrigation this can easily be done still leaving you the option to build onto the system as you feel ready to do so. The option of being able to build onto your initial system does has many benefits, another being expense. Therefore because the Coverline System can be started off on a small scale and built on this means initial costs are lower and effectively you are able to expand your system as your budget allows.

A Typical Sprinkler System Layout

IntroductionThe aim of all sprinkler irrigation systems is to achieve the best uniformity and efficiency possible in the application of water. This objective derives from the growing demand of the scarcity of available water resources. That’s why, and in answer to the requirements of farmers, SALEPLAS, S.L. manufactures the patented system, COVERLINE®.COVERLINE® is a modular system, which combines aluminium couplings with the high density polyethylene tubes. This system is classified, as a temporary fixed stationary system (air solid set). This type of solid set consists of a network of main pipes and laterals for irrigation. These laterals can be installed permanently or only for the season, being transferred to other zones or to another plot according to the rotation of crops in the agricultural business.With any irrigation system it is necessary to remember that the main resources managed are: water, energy, manpower and equipment. We should achieve the combination of these factors in every particular situation that leads to the economic optimum, and in accordance with the conditions of the growing medium (soil, climate, crop, plot distribution, etc).A solid set sprinkler irrigation system generally consists of a network of main pipes, with a group of hydrants, to which are connected the secondary pipes and the laterals. In the COVERLINE® system the secondary pipes and the laterals of irrigation are manufactured in high density polyethylene with aluminium couplings. The nominal pressure of these tubes used for solid set is 6 atm. The  COVERLINE® system has high density polyethylene tubes with outside diameters 50, 63, 75, 90 and 110mm, available in hook, lever and half turn couplings. Everything is complemented with a large range of accessories (elbows, tees, crosses, reductions and reversals) in order to

supply any irrigation system design. The sprinklers are assembled on aluminium canes of different heights (up to 3m), having their own coupling to the polyethylene tube and a stabilizing plate. COVERLINE® also allows you, in  a quick and reliable way, to make all connections to the sprinkler and drip irrigation systems. It’s a system perfectly adapted to large plots and irregular or smaller ones.Characteristics of sprinkler irrigation with solid set are derived mainly from two fundamental aspects:

The control of the irrigation is only limited by the atmospheric conditions (evaporation or drag losses and the effect of the wind on the uniformity of distribution).

The uniformity of application is independent of the hydro physical characteristics of the soil.

Keeping in mind the afore-mentioned aspects we can enumerate a series of characteristics that confer several advantages to this system over other irrigation methods.

The sprinkler irrigation with solid set can be used in a great variety of soils, even on those that demand frequent and slight watering, since the quantity of water applied is only a question of the length of times.

This system is adapted to the rotation of crops and to recovery irrigation. The nozzles of the sprinklers will be less obstructed with correct filtration. When the water applied with sprinkler irrigation infiltrates in the soil, it adds oxygen

activating the humus generation process. The system adapts itself to undulating topographies. This helps to preserve the natural

fertility of the soil, and avoids soil and mineral leaching. A high rate of automation can be achieved, with less manpower costs. Low rates of application can be achieved for seed germination, water saving and to avoid

capping and consolidation of soil structure.Other applications of the systemThe sprinkler irrigation with the can be used under certain conditions for:

Microsprinkler irrigation, when sprinklers or sprayers of low pressure and small radius are used.

Sprinkler irrigation for frost defence. Mineral plant nutrition by means of the sprinkler equipments. Organic plant nutrition using the sprinkler equipments Flowering delay. Distribution of residual waters.

It is important to note that except for the mineral plant nutrition, the use of the irrigation system for the distribution of chemical products need very exact concentrations and uniform distribution. This may be complicated if the system is not very well designed and managed, with important risks of contamination or damage.It’s also necessary to remember that the capacity of the frost defence sprinkler system must cover the whole area to protect simultaneously. To reduce the installation costs it’s usual to divide the irrigation area in to sectors. When the system will be used to irrigate and for frost defence, it would be necessary to endow the installation with a complimentary supply of pressured water that allows combined operation of the area.ConclusionsUsing the system for solid set, made up of high density polyethylene tubes with aluminium couplings, a longer life for this type of installation is achieved due to the characteristics of the

polyethylene, a material resistant to chemical agents, durable in the open, and resistant to chemical damage. The low specific weight and the flexibility of the polyethylene tubes also facilitate ease of transport, assembly and handling of the irrigation installation.We must remember too that the efficient use of water by farmers requires continuous information about the water consumption of the crops. It is fundamental also to know and to control the main factors that take part in the process of irrigation: the pressure and the rain as controllable factors; and the wind as an uncontrollable factor. The pressure and flow are the main factors to control in a sprinkler irrigation installation. The effect of the wind is important, and its distortion effect on the uniformity of the water distribution should be reduced where possible.Finally, everyone knows that water is a more and more scarce resource and not only in quantity, but also in quality. All of us must manage water resources with the highest efficiency as possible within the particular economic conditions that production allows.

By having the ability to forecast events the grower can make informed decisions about the crop’s quality, yield and profitability whilst meeting the environmental criteria.Real time data from the plant

Irrigation management Soil moisture monitoring Disease forecasting Frost Warning Work planning and logistics Local micro climate monitoring

Options include Soil temperature Soil humidity Temperature Relative humidity Global radiation Rainfall Leaf wetness Wind strength & Direction Barometric pressure

Filtration is the process that seperates solids from liquid, making it an essential part of Micro and Drip Irrigation Systems. It plays a key role in reducing problems with the irrigation system, therefore effectively reducing a large amount of time consuming maintenance caused from blockages in tape, sprinklers, valves or even pumps etc.Many different types of filters are available, when it comes to selecting the right one for your system various factors need to be taken into consideration:

Water Type Water Source Size of Solids in the Water Speed of Filtration Required Irrigation System Being Used

The three main filters we supply are Sand Filters, Disc Filters Screen Filter ARM processor