Dispositivo autónomo de riego para un cultivo de arveja que mejora el crecimiento y desarrollo de la planta

Abstract

For a good growth of a plant, it needs water and certain minerals that are absorbed through its roots. A soil is fertile when it has the necessary nutrients, that is, it has the essential substances for plants to develop well. When a soil is infertile and you want to grow on it, you need to supplement its nutrients, either by rooting or with fertigation. This article details the research and developments that were made to an irrigation device that allows fertilizing plants. The device is based on a caterpillar locomotion structure, which allows it to travel over any terrain. A microcontroller is in charge of the control part, which is programmed to follow a path marked with a black line and spread the liquid it contains in its tank (fertilizer or water as needed). As long as the line follower is active, the liquid is dispersed, and finally, finding an obstacle in its path, the device stops. When stopped, the portable tank is filled. Carrying out sensing tests, time calculations, sensor coupling and basic embedded device programming logic, it was possible to execute the optimal fertilization of the plants. Thanks to the fertilization with the device, the direct contact with the chemicals and the optimization of the irrigation of the fertilizer were considerably reduced.