Cabbage crop is being cultivated under polyhouse with both surface and subsurface drip irrigation methods. The temperature inside polyhouse was maintained using foggers with automatic sensors. Optimal irrigation schedule and fertigation management were practiced for the better yield of the cabbage.

Hydroponics cultivation is being experimented for capsicum crop in polyhouse with different artificial media. Media includes perlite, vermiculite, coco-pith, clay balls and gravel. The treatment details are as folows:

T₁ – Coir Pith

T₂ – Vermiculite + Gravel

T₃ – Perlite + Clay balls

T₄ – Perlite + Gravel

T₅ – Coir Pith + Vermiculite + Gravel

T₆ – Perlite + Vermiculite + Clay balls

The treatments are carried out using dutch bucketwith different crop growing media.The commercially available nutrient solution (Part A and  Part B) is used for crop growth. Temperature in the polyhouse are maintained using fan and fogger system.  The irrigation to the crops were provided four times a day with 4 litres/hour dripper.

Hydroponics without media is being experimented for cherry tomato crop under polyhouse with controlled climatic conditions. The treatment includes variation of pH (6.8, 6.10 & 5.9) and EC (0.8, 1.2 & 1.6 dS/m) concentration in the nutrient solution. The Kratky method (non-recirculating method) has been followed for the cultivation of crop under nutrient solution. In this method, wicks have been used to raise the nutrient solution by capillary action to the crop root zone. The growth and yield of the crop will be evaluated for the provided pH and EC concentration of the nutrient solution.

Vertical Farming unit for indoor growing with lights without artificial media is being installed in the air-conditioned room. The crop grown under vertical farming was lettuce. Nutrient Film Technique was followed for the supply of nutrient solution. An artificial light is the sole source of light and the nutrient solution is recirculated for the crop growth.  The automatic sensors were fixed to control the recirculation of nutrient solution.

IoT enabled/ Cloud based automation system – a modern technology through which, irrigation & fertigation management can be optimized reducing water / fertilizer use in irrigation system. The system has been installed for growing capsicum crop in polyhouse. The temperature inside the polyhouse will be maintained automatically with the help of foggers and fan and pad cooling system. The irrigation and fertigation will be provided on the time basis to study the efficiency of the system and to get better yield.

Agri-IoT device was installed in the field to actively monitor micro and macro climatic conditions, below ground soil parameters, crop stage and growth characteristics. The system aids in analyse irrigation that helps to make farm decision and also to provide recommendations. Farmers list to provide recommendations is being prepared.

A one week training program on ‘Precision Agriculture Technologies’ under GOI – Precision Farming Development Centre, National Committee on Precision Agriculture and Horticulture (NCPAH), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, New Delhi was conducted from 16.07.2024 to 22.07.2024. A group of thirty five participants from farming community attended the training program from various districts of Tamil Nadu. The trainees were trained on precision farming technologies like green house construction, irrigation techniques for green house, hydroponics, vertical farming and its application for growing horticultural crop. Both theory and practical field demonstration were conducted and they also visited various farming units under precision agriculture.