The horticulture and growing sector is undergoing a transformation with the integration of smart sensors and automation solutions, which are revolutionising the way crops are grown. These technologies allow growers and cultivators to work more accurately and efficiently, resulting in higher yields and more sustainable operations.
To deploy specific nutrients, the industry uses cultivation soil provided with the right composition and tailored to the type of crop. To supply and store substrates, fertilisers and soil in larger quantities, the sector uses Big Bags. These Big Bags are particularly strong and have a high carrying capacity which simplifies their transport and storage. Since it is important to prevent scalding in these Big Bags, continuous monitoring of temperature and humidity is indispensable. For this purpose, horticulture has successfully used JUMO Wtrans wireless temperature sensors for years. With no cabling, horticulturists and growers benefit from a reduction in installation costs and no longer have to worry about signal loss due to cable damage and/or wear and tear.
Besides wireless technology, digital technology plays a crucial role in the monitoring process of various environmental factors affecting crop growth. Wireless and digital sensors jointly measure parameters such as soil moisture, temperature, light intensity and nutrient levels. Collecting and analysing this data provides insight into crop health and allows timely intervention to prevent problems. This not only reduces the risk of crop failure, but also improves the efficiency of water and fertiliser use.
Automation horticulture
Automated cultivation systems not only improve crop yield and quality, it reduces labour costs and offers better control and predictability of cultivation activities. Are you looking for complete process control and monitoring? Then check out the possibilities of JUMO variTRON 300. The central unit can be used as a receiver for wireless JUMO Wtrans sensors. Using a router module, various input and output modules can be connected and you can build a complete PLC control and monitoring system using CODESYS V3.5. Via the Ethernet interface, the process data is transferred to, for example, the cloud or SCADA environment where the user has 24/7 (remote) insight into the complete process control, allowing matters to be analysed quickly and adjusted if necessary.
The integration of smart sensors and automation solutions contributes significantly to the sustainability of the cultivation sector. Through more accurate use of resources, such as water and fertilisers, environmental impacts are reduced. Moreover, these technologies lead to long-term cost savings by reducing the use of inputs and increasing crop yields. This makes it possible for growers, gardeners and farms to implement economically viable and environmentally friendly farming practices.
Automatiseringssysteem voor procesbesturing, -bewaking en registratie tuinbouw
With ongoing developments in technology, the role of smart sensors and automation in the cultivation sector will only continue to grow. Innovations such as artificial intelligence and machine learning will enable even more sophisticated analysis and predictive modelling, allowing growers and cultivators to make even more informed decisions. The future of the sector lies in the integration of technologies that not only increase yields, but also contribute to the sustainability and resilience of cultivation, growing and growing systems worldwide.
