Automated Hydroponic System: Demonstrating Robustness in Panama City’s Uncontrolled Climate Conditions

Abstract

Traditional agriculture faces growing challenges such as water scarcity, soil degradation, and the increasing demand for sustainable food production. Hydroponics offers an innovative solution, enabling soil-free cultivation of plants through nutrient-rich water systems, optimizing resource use and ensuring controlled growth conditions. This project focuses on the development and implementation of an automated hydroponic system for lettuce cultivation, designed to perform under the challenging environmental conditions of Panama’s humid and hot climate. The system integrates advanced sensor technologies, programmable controllers, and a digital twin for real-time monitoring and management of critical variables, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), temperature, and nutrient concentrations. A user-friendly interface facilitates data visualization and manual adjustments when necessary. The implementation process addressed technical challenges such as sensor calibration, hardware-software integration, and the development of efficient control algorithms. Experimental results demonstrated the system’s robustness and adaptability, achieving significant improvements in plant growth consistency and health. The automated features reduced resource consumption, minimized human intervention, and maintained optimal growth conditions despite environmental stressors. These outcomes validate the viability of automation in hydroponic systems and highlight its potential for advancing sustainable and urban agriculture in tropical regions.