A DSS tool as a virtual measurement system for closed hydroponic system management

摘要

Optimal operation of commercial hydroponic systems depends mainly on the appropriate management of the available water sources, especially under saline conditions, as well as the optimal management of fertigation. In this paper, a decision support system (DSS) for the optimal online water and fertigation management of hydroponics is presented. The system consists of two parts, an off-line and an on-line one. The on-line system, which operates as a supervisor system to other automatic systems for climate and hydroponics control, implements best management based on real present conditions. The off-line part takes as inputs weather, greenhouse equipment, crop production and salinity tolerance data and water sources available, including their cost, and then establishes the optimal water management. The DSS can operate as an add-on tool for management and control systems in order to create an on-line virtual measurement system. The estimated output is used by the grower to make his decisions about required investments. The user can simulate various scenarios until he reaches a decision about the water sources and nutrients to implement for his own targets. The operation of the system can be also used for educational purposes, as a tool for learning the evolution process and characteristic behavior of closed hydroponic systems.