Chapter 2

Review on Related Literature

Weather based Smart Drip-Irrigation

Using Soil Sensor and GSM

Overview

Our main focus for study in this field is to provide and develop a new possible ways for efficient
irrigation system to conserve water and utilize it efficiently. Hence, by reading the first sentence readers
can identify our main goal. That is to try solve the problem in inefficient agricultural water usage. We
found out that agriculture holds greatly in contribution to water scarcity and unwise traditional
irrigation system are the main causes. Due to an increase of population in the last 50 years, the need for
agriculture expansion also increases as the demand for food and production increases. “Agriculture
uses 70% of the world’s accessible freshwater, but some 60% of this is wasted due to leaky irrigation
systems, inefficient application methods as well as the cultivation of crops that are too thirsty for the
environment in which they are grown. This wasteful use of water is drying out rivers, lakes and
underground aquifers”. Anonymous. (2017, June 16). Water Scarcity| Threats| WWF. Retrieved from
https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/water-scarcity.

Research Synthesis related to Automatic Irrigation

In order to try to solve the issues discussed, we look for past research such as making the irrigation
Automated. The literature of Er. Sukhjit Singh and Er. Neha Sharma was based on Research on Drip
Irrigation Management using wireless sensors. The objective of their study is to provide a Wireless
Sensor Network that can be used for irrigation management. Its objectives are also prior to Fertilizer
control and Pest management. The method they use is a drip-irrigation system because they found out
that the flood type methods consumes large amount of water and offers less efficiency. Water is supply
is then controlled by a sensor with real-time feedback that monitors the moisture level of the area and
regulates the amount of water released. The basic feature of their system is to enable switching on/off
of the motor remotely. The end conclusion and results to their study is Drip-Irrigation is more reliable
and efficient rather than conventional flood type irrigation. Using their fuzzy based algorithm in their
drip-irrigation to control the water wastage and using wireless sensor for less toil to farmers. Their
recommendations is to minimize the power consumption. Since due to the number of 200 sensors
deployed it requires them to use large amount of power.

Another research on the past was the work of Mrs. Anjali Birajdar and Mr. M. G. Poddar. They are
from College of Engineering Ambajogai. Their study was entitled Wireless Drip Irrigation Controlled
System. Their main objectives is to use a wireless technology and instrumentation techniques to use the
available water and to use it efficiently for greater production. To overcome the problems of lack of soil
moisture knowledge. In their method of approach to build the prototype. This mechanical system such
as Pipe, pump, valves etc. And Instrumentation part such as sensor, signal conditioning circuit, relay
and UHF transceiver module CC1000. They face major problems due to their sensor which is highly
conductive when getting wet and is prone to damage. The results to their study by following their
blueprint and diagrams are impressive. Using the transceiver moduleCC1000 they achieve the effective
way of utilization of water source. The design system is working satisfactorily. It supplies the plants
water as needed and reduce human and saves energy. Hence, they concluded that the automation of the
irrigation helps in optimum utilization of water for irrigation as per requirement of the crop and it result
for better yield compared to normal practices done by farmers. As the end of their research they did not
offer for recommendations. And as we observe and learn as a researcher, we found out that the system
they design can be prone to error as the weather changes. And this can cause a frequent watering even
in rainy and low temperature and humidity. Hence still cause over watering. So in our own conclusion
based on what we learn, making the system efficient needs the use of micro controller, soil features
namely, soil pH, soil electrical conductivity and temperature.

Another study that we look for is the Research of the IIT students from SCS. The researcher are Apple
Rose B. Alce, Paul Rodulf P. Castor and Evan Socrates V. Yap. The dissertation was entitled “Design
and Development of an Automated Water Irrigation System on Rice Fields” (A WIS-RF). Their main
objectives in designing and researching the prototype is to help conserve water resources and help
lessen the work load of farmers. And also, to assess their prototype’s effectiveness in controlling water
level in rice fields. We focus mainly on their results and studies to ensure that our research may be
applicable and can offer a lot better functionalities than the later. In their prototype, they use the
Ultrasonic sensors connecting to Arduino Mega 2560 board to test the components accuracy. A
SIM800C GSM module capable is sending short messages and a RTC Module to run a real-time
clocking. Their data storage is the MicroSD card and is connected to Arduino for testing its capability.
They also use the active-low relay module Optocoupler that triggers digitally low input and turns off
when input is high. Their results was observed in each of their equipment used. In their sensors, they
conducted 5 trials to test its efficiency and also for Sim800C GSM, they test 5 trials and the results was
satisfying it is all success in sending and receiving SMS. To summarize their overall precision, their
system works properly as the trials and test goes along. It can monitor water level using ultrasonic
sensors and capable of controlling water level depending on the water current. The LCD displays an
indicator properly when water level is changing. Their system also has a ability to store data on the
status every one hour accompanied by time record.

Fuzzy Logic Controller for Automation of Greenhouse Irrigation System by M.H. Hussain, T.W.
Min, S.F. Siraj, Rahim, N. Hashim, M.H. Sulaiman

According to Hussain, Min, Siraj, Rahom, Hashim, & Sulaiman (2011) from School of Electrical
System Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis Kangar, Perlis, Malaysia. Stated that the irrigation is
important to make sure that the plants can grow in a good environment. Water is a basic component of
all known life on earth. Water can both sustain life in correct quantities and threaten life when it is not
available. Water as a result is a very precious natural resource that must not be wasted. If too much
water is applied to the plants, the problems arise consisting of erosion, waste of water and deceased
plant life. If too little water is applied, different problems arise for example turf burnout. Besides that,
demand for food has been increasing day by day since the world population has been growing. It is
obvious that the agricultural products have to be increased in order not to be faced with starvation,
according to the researches.

The purpose of the research is to compare the amount of water used during irrigation by conventional
way method or automated controller system and to verify its performance of the irrigation process by
using Matlab Simulink. The success key in irrigation system is to find the right way for optimal plant
life with optimal use of water.

To solve their problem, they compared automation and on-off control methods for watering process
with a computerized control method. Irrigation controller has two types loops; Open and Close. Open
loop are also called non-feedback controllers - Conventional way of control method. Close loop
controllers gives feedback which checks the amount of water needed - Computerized control method.
For logic controller, three diagram is introduced, the first block diagram set point of soil moisture that
plant can grow properly. The second block is the evaporation model - blocks converts the water flow
rate to the actual soil moisture. Lastly, the third block, the desired soil will be compared to the
measured soil through specific programming commands. As they inducted research, the Open loop
controllers failed to provide optimal solution on irrigation.

The fuzzy logic controller system performance is compared with on-off controller system. They
concluded that using Fuzzy Logic Controller is effective because the system operates a proper
computerized range and is stable unlike on-off method. They recommended that jotting down notes that
such system whether can save tons of water or not is important. Concept of Fuzzy Logic Controller to
automate watering system for typical in-door plantation.

From The Field: Mobile Drip Irrigation Aims To Use Water More Efficiently by Danny Rogers

According to K-State Research and Extension News, a program designed to generate and distribute
useful knowledge for the well-being of Kasans. It was Danny Roger's research about Mobile Drip
Irrigation, a long the way, Kansas Department of Agriculture approach Roger to observe his reserches
and further find ways to improve irrigation efficiency.

The purpose of the research is to analyze potential benefits, which are usually measured in yield
increases or improvements in water productivity versus the cost of increased management, which is
required to install and operate these systems. Increasing the efficiency and abundant harvest are the
primary goals of mobile drip irrigation technology. Aims to create resourceful way to water crops,
according to Rogers.

Mobile Drip Irrigation is the marriage of center pivot technology and microirrigation technology,
according to Roger. Drip lines are attached to the platform of the pivot, and they're basically drug in a
circle on the surface. Then, the water is applied in narrow strips on the surface to wet the small portion
of the area. It can be customized through adjusting the pivot either apply more water or lessen water
usage.

It increases the irrigation efficiency but it is very costly especially to management. These require the
crops to be planted a circle versus straight rows. A lot of hardware costs in this process and requires
money and acute management. Danny Roger concluded that Mobile Drip Irrigation improves or
maintain full yield potential with more efficient water usage.

Kansas Department of Agriculture recommended that it needs further improvement whether the
performance is stable under a variety of climatic conditions, according to Rogers.

Automated Irrigation System using Weather Prediction for Efficient Usage of Water Resources
by A.Susmitha, T.Alakananda, M.L.Apoorva, T.K.Ramesh

According to Susmitha, Alalkananda, and Apoorva, a students currently pursuing Engineering course
and Ramesh whose currently Associate Professor in the Department of ECE, Amrita School of
Engineering, Amrita University, Bengaluru campus, India. In agriculture, the major problem which
farmers face is water scarcity, according to the researchers. Different irrigation methodologies used are
flood irrigation, man and tube method, drip irrigation and spray irrigation. Flood and man and tube
irrigation methods may cause uneven distribution of water over the farm.

The purpose of this study is to solve water wastage, and differ Drip and Sprinkler irrigatiom method
because they both have potential increasing water efficiency. Moreover, with addition to weather
prediction.

They created "Automated Irrigation System With Partition Facility For Effective Irrigation Of Small
Scale Farms (AISPF)" but it contain certain drawbacks. They search for further improvement
“Automated Irrigation System Using Weather Prediction For Efficient Usage Of Water Resources"
(AISWP), it solves the shortcomings of AISPF process.

As per discussion of the researchers, AISWP method helps us to use the available water resources more
efficiently by sensing the moisture present in the soil and apart from that it is actually predicting the
weather by sensing two parameters temperature and humidity thereby processing the measured values
through an algorithm and releasing the water accordingly which is an added feature of AISWP so that
water can be efficiently used.

They concluded that automated based system not just lets the weather predicted, measure soil moisture
but included that efficiency of water usage is taken into consideration. However, they recommended
that further work is necessary to make these type of investigations to make the usage of water more
efficient by using automatic irrigation systems.