The Development of Automatic Watering System for Durian Plants via Smart Phone Application

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to: 1) design and develop an automatic water supply control system for durian farm via a smart phone application and 2) examine the efficiency of the automatic water supply control system for durian farm via the smart phone application. The research instruments were the automatic water supply control system for durian farm via the smart phone application and the efficiency examination form. The data were collected by a record of the efficiency examination of the automatic water supply control system for durian farm via the smart phone application and then, analyzed by mean and linear regression analysis. The researcher designed and developed the automatic water supply control system for durian farm via the smart phone application by using a hybrid AC/DC submersible water pump. The Blynk application was implemented in this research. The data collection was conducted in a durian farm in Moo 1, Kralor Sub - district, Noppitum District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.

The research results showed that: 1) the efficiency of the maximum water supply flow rate was yielded in July 2023 with the linear regression analysis of R² = 0.9454, y = 0.0125x - 4.2031. The maximum output voltage from the photovoltaic had direct variation with gained solar irradiance. The daily mean of the electrical power output was 2.08 kW or 90.43% based on the maximum electrical power output of 2.30 kW. Moreover, the maximum mean of the solar irradiance was at 443 W/m2 at 10.00 am. As a whole, the efficiency of the maximum water supply flow rate can be controlled on-off according to the appropriateness of the time setting. 2) The efficiency of the automatic water supply control system for durian farm via the smart phone application revealed that the soil moisture levels and air temperatures were consistently higher in 6 setting sensors. The data showed that the highest recorded average soil moisture level at 71.50% was in May 2023 with a maximum air temperature of 37°C. This innovative water-flow control system implemented via the smart phone application at durian farm in Moo 1, Kralor Su -district, Noppitum District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, was appropriate and aligned with the demands of local durian farmers and the specific context of the area.