Sistema de monitoreo para un cultivo hidropónico de tomates

Abstract

This thesis presents the design and implementation of a monitoring system based on Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for a hydroponic tomato crop, aimed at optimizing agricultural productivity and sustainability through the precise control of critical variables such as pH, humidity, and temperature. The study begins with the identification of common challenges in hydroponic farming, including nutrient imbalances, pest proliferation, and water contamination, which affect both the quality and quantity of the harvest, increase costs, and compromise profitability and food security. Based on a rapid literature review and recent background studies on monitoring systems applied to precision agriculture, an integrated model was designed combining specialized sensors (PH-4502C, DHT11), an ESP32 microcontroller, and a MySQL database for structured data management. The technological solution includes a software prototype implemented in WordPress at a local level, structured into modules that enable the capture, transmission, analysis, and real-time visualization of environmental variables, as well as the generation of alerts and recommendations to support decision-making. The methodological development was carried out using the agile Scrum framework, which facilitated an iterative and incremental management of requirements, ensuring flexibility in implementation and progressive validation of the system. The research results highlight the potential of IoT to reduce water consumption by up to 30%, improve nutrient efficiency, and increase crop productivity by 20–35%, according to the analyzed studies. Likewise, challenges related to initial costs, energy dependence, and the need for technological standardization were identified, revealing future opportunities for the integration of artificial intelligence for pest prediction and the adoption of renewable energies. In conclusion, the developed system constitutes a support tool for the management of hydroponic tomato crops in both domestic and commercial contexts, contributing to smart agriculture, environmental sustainability, and resource optimization through the use of accessible, open-source technologies.