Design and Develop an Automated Nutrient Management System for Growing Lactucasativa (Green Lettuce) Using Hyropodnics Method

Phang, Wai San (2025) Design and Develop an Automated Nutrient Management System for Growing Lactucasativa (Green Lettuce) Using Hyropodnics Method. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

This project focuses on the development of a vertical hydroponic farming system integrated with an Internet of Things (IoT) self-monitoring system, aiming to optimize crop growth in Malaysia while investigating the effects of key growth parameters on lettuce’s nutritional value, particularly nitrate accumulation. The study employs the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) and incorporates sensors for real-time monitoring of parameters such as pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), temperature, and humidity. An Arduino-based system enables data collection and visualization through a remote-access Graphical User Interface (GUI) and cloud storage. Laboratory tests, including Ion Chromatography (IC), were used to analyze nitrate levels in harvested lettuce, providing insights into the relationship between environmental control and nutritional outcomes. Results demonstrated the effectiveness of the IoT system in collects real-time data from sensors, enabling growers to monitor crop conditions remotely via a user-friendly graphical interface and providing real-time alerts. The findings emphasized the importance of regionspecific parameter optimization, as different growth conditions, particularly pH, led to variations in both crop growth and nitrate accumulation between two indoor racks and an outdoor control rack. Rack 1, which operated at a lower pH, produced superior crop growth, while Rack 3, maintained at a higher pH, showed increased nitrate levels. Importantly, nitrate levels across all systems remained within safety limits, ensuring the crops were safe for consumption. This project highlights the potential of IoT-integrated vertical farming systems to address localized environmental challenges, enhance crop yield, and ensure nutritional safety. The developed system provides a cost-effective solution for smart farming in Malaysia, paving the way for future research into hydroponic practices tailored to specific climatic conditions.