Video summary

IoT_Politeknik Negeri Lampung_IRIGrow_AIoT FertiFlow

Main summary

Key takeaways

Technology

Summary of the Video (IoT Politeknik Negeri Lampung – IRIGrow “FertyFlow” / Vertiflow)

Problem Addressed

Chili farmers often struggle with:

  • Irrigation management
  • Fertilization management
  • Early detection of pests and diseases

This leads to lower productivity.

Proposed Solution

Vertiflow / FertyFlow is an IoT smart chili plant care system that integrates:

  • Automatic vertigation/fertigation (fertilizer mixed into irrigation water)
  • Pest & disease detection using a mobile app that analyzes uploaded plant photos
  • Automated pesticide spraying based on detected issues
  • Real-time monitoring using environmental and nutrient-related sensors

Key Features / How the System Works

1) Mobile App Photo-Based Diagnosis

  • Users take or upload a photo of chili plants.
  • The system detects pests or diseases.
  • It provides handling recommendations, including suggested pesticides or fertilizers.

2) Automatic Mixing + Delivery Modes

Fertilizer Mode

  • A tank is filled with fertilizer solution.
  • The system mixes fertilizer into irrigation water using a Venturi.
  • The mixed solution flows into a drip system for nutrient absorption at the roots.

Pesticide Mode

  • The flow is diverted to a spraying/mist system.
  • Liquid is applied directly to affected leaves/plant parts.

3) Precision Spraying Using Solenoid Valves

  • Pesticide is pumped to two branch lines: Plant A and Plant B.
  • Each branch is controlled by a solenoid valve, enabling separate and precise spraying depending on the detected disease.

4) Real-Time Sensor Monitoring

The mobile application displays sensor data including:

  • Humidity
  • Temperature
  • Nutrient-related measurements

Users can monitor and control the system in real time via mobile devices.

5) Scheduling + Emergency Watering

  • The app supports setting a watering and fertilization schedule (e.g., by day/time).
  • A standby/safety feature triggers emergency watering when soil is detected to be extremely dry (outside safe limits), even if not scheduled.
  • Emergency watering is designed to run only when conditions are critical, improving efficiency.

Hardware & IoT/Control Approach (Circuit Context)

Power Architecture

  • 220V AC input from a wall socket
  • Voltage stepped down to:
    • 12V for the pump
    • 5V for the ESP32 microcontroller

ESP32 Role

The ESP32 acts as a control center:

  • Reads sensor data
  • Controls relay switching for:
    • irrigation pumps
    • pesticide pumps
  • Controls two solenoid valves
  • Sends data to Firebase over the internet

System Testing & Deployment Context

Components were tested and installed in a greenhouse environment, using existing infrastructure such as:

  • fertilizer support components
  • pumps
  • irrigation hoses
  • monitoring sensors

Development Process (Analysis / Iteration)

The team describes a multi-stage development process:

  1. Designing system flow
  2. Field testing sensors and actuators
  3. Improving the application UI/appearance for farmer usability

The project emphasizes ongoing refinement to improve accuracy and reliability.

Main Speakers / Sources

  • Iri Grow team (introduced in the video)
  • Politeknik Negeri Lampung (referenced in the video title / project context)

Original video