In the heart of tropical citrus cultivation, a technological revolution is brewing, promising to transform the way farmers manage water and nutrients. A recent study published in the *Journal of Information Systems and Informatics* introduces an IoT-based smart fertigation system that leverages fuzzy logic control (FLC) to optimize irrigation and fertilization for citrus plants. This innovation addresses the long-standing inefficiencies of conventional fertigation practices, which often rely on fixed schedules that fail to account for real-time soil and climate conditions.
The research, led by Ircham Ali from Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Indonesia, integrates wireless sensors and an ESP32 microcontroller to create a system that automatically adjusts irrigation duration based on real-time data from soil moisture, temperature, and air humidity sensors. The system uses triangular membership functions and a fuzzy inference model with 64 fuzzy rule combinations to make precise, adaptive decisions.
Over a 30-day observation period, twelve citrus seedlings were divided into four groups: manual fertigation (MF), manual irrigation (MI), smart fertigation (SF), and smart irrigation (SI). The results were striking. The smart fertigation system maintained soil moisture within a stable range of 40-55%, and plants in the SF group showed approximately 7 cm greater height and a twofold increase in leaf count compared to those in the MI group. “The smart fertigation treatment not only improved plant growth but also produced more uniform, greener, and healthier foliage,” noted Ali. “This signifies balanced nutrient uptake and highlights the potential of this technology to revolutionize citrus cultivation.”
The commercial implications for the agriculture sector are substantial. Traditional fertigation methods often lead to water inefficiency and nutrient imbalance, which can result in higher costs and lower yields. The IoT-based smart fertigation system offers a more adaptive and eco-efficient model, promoting sustainable management of water and nutrients. This technology could be particularly beneficial in regions where water scarcity is a growing concern, helping farmers to optimize resource use and enhance productivity.
The integration of IoT and fuzzy logic control in agriculture is not just about improving efficiency; it’s about creating a more resilient and sustainable future for farming. As the global population continues to grow, the demand for food will increase, and technologies like this could play a crucial role in meeting that demand without compromising the environment.
This research opens up new avenues for future developments in the field. The successful application of fuzzy logic control in citrus cultivation suggests that similar systems could be adapted for other crops, further expanding the reach of smart agriculture. As Ali explains, “The potential applications of this technology are vast. It’s not just about citrus; it’s about creating a smarter, more sustainable agricultural landscape.”
In the coming years, we can expect to see more farmers adopting IoT-based systems to optimize their operations. The integration of real-time data and advanced control algorithms will likely become a standard practice, driving innovation and efficiency in the agriculture sector. This research is a significant step forward, demonstrating the power of technology to transform traditional farming practices and pave the way for a more sustainable future.