Optimization of automation systems used in hydroponic cultivation in prototype greenhouse

In addition to the increasingly inefficient agricultural areas in the world, global warming and the increase in food prices are harbingers of future problems. In developing countries, inadequate water resources, settlement policies in agricultural areas, establishment of industrial facilities in agricultural areas, improper use of fertilizers and pesticides can be gathered under the threats awaiting agricultural areas. Soilless agriculture or hydroponic agriculture is a form of agriculture practiced in stagnant or moving water culture without soil. Apart from the opportunity to grow hygienic and more aromatic products, hydroponic farming does not require fertilization, spraying, overwatering, etc. In hydroponic farming, especially traditional vegetables, sensitive medicinal plants and greens without tubers can be grown healthier and the level of disease can be minimized. In hydroponic cultivation, the important advantages of this system are obtaining more products in a shorter time and from a unit area without being dependent on climatic values, and making a production in which input costs are considerably reduced and product losses caused by diseases and pests can be eliminated. In addition to this, although automation systems are used in greenhouse activities and greenhouse systems in our country, there are almost no fully automated systems and software in hydroponic cultivation systems. For this purpose, in this study, a prototype hydroponic system design was made and in addition, the control systems were ensured to operate with the help of software developed with open-source codes. The designed automation system is not just a system in which water will be circulated automatically. It is a system that will constantly monitor the instantaneous N (nitrogen), P (phosphorus), K (potassium) elements in the water and constantly add the deficiencies of these plant nutrients that will occur in the circulating water. In addition, light intensity adjustments are measured in terms of PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation). In the system where the relationship between plant development and PAR was measured instantly and the relationship between plant development and PAR was determined, exact scenarios of climatic conditions were created (taking into account multiple climatic conditions) and the development of the plants was recorded with a camera 24 hours a day.