Development of an IoT-Based Plant Watering System for Automated Irrigation

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable water management in agriculture highlights the need for more efficient irrigation systems. Traditional irrigation methods often lead to water wastage and inconsistent plant health due to issues of overwatering or underwatering. To address these challenges, this study presents the development of an Internet of Things (IoT)-based plant watering system (IoT-PWS) to automate and optimize the irrigation processes in various environments, including homes, offices, and gardens. The IoT-PWS integrates an ESP8266 microcontroller with sensors that monitor key environmental parameters, such as soil moisture, air temperature, humidity, and water levels. The system processes real-time data through the Blynk application, enabling remote monitoring and control. The use of time-series analysis allows for dynamic adjustments to irrigation schedules, ensuring optimal soil moisture and preventing rapid moisture declines. Testing demonstrated that the system maintained optimal moisture levels for approximately 73% of the time, confirming its effectiveness in diverse settings. While the system proved cost-efficient and adaptable, there remains potential for further improvements in sensor accuracy and water usage optimisation. This research contributes to the field of smart agriculture by offering a scalable solution for sustainable irrigation, which could play an important role in reducing water consumption and promoting healthier plant growth. Future enhancements may focus on improving sensor accuracy and further optimizing water usage strategies. This research would contribute to the broader field of sustainable agricultural practices by offering a scalable solution for automated irrigation management, promoting sustainable water usage and healthy plant growth.