Optimización del recurso hídrico en el proceso de riego de un cultivo hidropónico de fresa en la parroquia Huachi del cantón Ambato en base a sistemas embebidos open source.

Abstract

The present research work describes the design and implementation of a system based on the use of open source embedded systems to evaluate the degree of moisture retention of different combinations of substrates used in the process of strawberries hydroponic growth. The pilot growing where the evaluation was carried out has an area of 700 m², distributed in four plots of equal magnitude where combinations of substrates such as coconut fiber, coconut fiber - rice - sand husk, rice husk - sand, and coconut fiber - pine compost were used. The system consists of an automatic control for irrigation in the centralized plantation in an Arduino MEGA that manages the activation / deactivation of solenoid valves according to the humidity degree evaluated in each plot. A WSN (Wireless Sensor Network) with ZigBee technology based on Xbee S2 devices was used to record the information of the humidity sensors strategically located along the plots and transmit it wirelessly to the centralized point managed by a Raspberry Pi3 where the information is monitored and recorded in a database in real time. It was achieved with the implementation of the system to determine through laboratory and field tests that the substrate with the highest level of moisture retention is the combination of rice husk with sand extending the time intervals for irrigation, thus optimizing the use of hydric resources. In conclusion, the implementation of a complete control and monitoring system based on low-cost, high-efficiency, open source embedded systems was achieved. It is recommended the use of open source resources, both software and hardware, in the implementation of technical systems in areas that detect empirical processes in order to optimize productivity and better resource management with justified decision making with technical criteria.