Monitoring and control of fodder growth in Hydroponics environment

Abstract

Background: The production of fodder for cattle has always been a problem due to the scarcity
of land, fertility of the soil, reduced availability of ground water along with the climatic conditions.
Hydroponics, is a part of hydro-culture, in which the plants are grown using mineral nutrient solutions,
grain, water, without soil and fertilizers. The fodder production system is used to grow fodder for livestock
which is highly nutritive and cost effective. The fodder obtained after 7-12 days of growth of the seed is
called sprout mat. The sprout mat is completely edible and highly nutritious as it is a living food. The animals
eat the entire mat, roots and green growth thus leaving no space for wastage. Hydroponics allows farmers to
grow fodder in a short period by reducing the time spent looking for fodder and increasing the milk
production making it ideal for farmers.
Methods: This work aims in the design of fully Automated Fodder Production System with a Fuzzy based
PID control which can be implemented using PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). The fodder is grown
inside a system that is controlled and monitored for a constant temperature, moisture, humidity and accurate
pH level of the water supplied at regular intervals. The monitoring and controlling of the mentioned
parameters will be done using Fuzzy logic control based on PLC. The set point of temperature is maintained
inside the growing chamber, to ensure the best growth and retain the nutritional value of the fodder.