NPK And Oxygen Regulation System for

Hydroponics
Vedant Shirsekar Jay Hegshetye Soham Urunkar
Dept. Of Biomedical Engineering Dept. Of Biomedical Engineering Dept. Of Biomedical Engineering
2021 International Conference on Advances in Computing, Communication, and Control (ICAC3) | 978-1-6654-2634-3/21/$31.00 ©2021 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/ICAC353642.2021.9697276

Vidyalankar Institute of Technology Vidyalankar Institute of Technology Vidyalankar Institute of Technology

Mumbai, India Mumbai, India Mumbai, India
vedantshirsekar63@gmail.com jayhegshetye@gmail.com sohamurunkar@gmail.com

Akhil Masurkar
Dept. Of Electronics Engineering
Vidyalankar Institute of Technology
Mumbai, India
akhil.masurkar@vit.edu.in

Abstract—In this paper we propose a system to regulate and
monitor the levels of Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium for
crops which are grown hydroponically. NPK are the basic
nutrients to grow any crop. Correct proportions of NPK
determine the quality and yield of a crop. Fertilizers are used to
provide these elements in the right proportion to enhance the
crop growth rate and increase the yield. However, the nutrients
levels may vary due to continuous consumption of nutrients by
the plants. Hence, there is a need to regulate the NPK levels in
the water tank and monitor them continuously in real time. The
proposed system uses an Arduino Mega controller. It controls
four pumps and sensors, each of which is used to regulate the
values of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and oxygen. The
proposed system can be easily integrated to existing hydroponic
equipment. This study also highlights the effect of solution
concentration on the accuracy. The system is designed in such a
way that accurate values of NPK in µg/ml can be delivered to
the crop in a stipulated amount of time. The system consumes
less power, has good accuracy and low latency.
Keywords—nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, hydroponics.
I. INTRODUCTION
According to a 2020 report of the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) in India, more than 189 million people
get insufficient quality and quantity of nourishment to sustain
proper health and growth. As India’s population is rapidly
increasing, there is need for increasing the agricultural output.
One of the major problems is lack of water resources. Indian
farmers depend more on rainfall, which is very irregular.
Many farmers have to face problems related to poor
infrastructure and average farm sizes.
Hydroponics is the most suitable solution to these
problems. It is a method of growing crops in any medium
except soil. The medium can be any solid material like
coconut husk, perlite gravel, sand, or it can be any nutrient
solution. Plants are grown in rows or on trellises, but they have
their roots in the medium. The nutrients required by the plants
are fed through water. It allows multilayer farming, thus
increasing the yield per unit area. The water requirement in
hydroponics is much lesser than conventional farming
techniques. Levels of the most common nutrients like
nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, oxygen etc. can be
provided in precise quantities. Levels of N, P and K are the
major factors which contribute to plant growth [1]. By
regulating the above, hydroponics provides the most ideal
conditions for plant development, which is difficult to achieve
using conventional methods [2]. Hence there is a need to grow
crops hydroponically, and at the same time, nutrient levels
needed to grow a crop must be regulated during the entire
growth cycle.
Rahul et al. have proposed a system to determine NPK
nutrients in the soil using cameras. However, the system may
not be effective under different lighting conditions [3]. Only
solenoid valves are used to regulate NPK values. This limits
the dispensing mechanism by making it to rely on gravity.
Rakshitha et al. has proposed an automatic system of growing
plants hydroponically at home. Different factors like light
conditions, watering cycles and nutrients are regulated based
on pH values [4]. The above data is made available on cloud.
The measurement of NPK is indirect. However, a direct
measurement of NPK is desired to improve the accuracy.
Yakub et al. have suggested a system to monitor the nutrients
in the soil. A water pump is used to regulate the pH and
humidity of soil. The forward chaining mechanism is used to
decrease the latency in decision-making [5]. Madhumathi et
al. has proposed a system that has an ability to regulate soil
parameters like soil fertility, moisture, pH and temperature.
However, system uses electrical conductivity sensor which
does not provide NPK values [6]. Theeramet et al. has
proposed a linear regression model to find relation between
electrical conductivity and pH of hydroponic nutrients. This
system uses a manual method of adding the calculated amount
of nutrient solution which is not desired [7]. Thazin et al. has
proposed a hydroponics system that can control the
temperature using Fuzzy Logic [8]. However, accuracy seems
to be low. Mitali et al. has proposed an effective hydroponics
management system that keeps track of sensor data including
as pH, light radiation, and solution conductivity [9]. However,
NPK monitoring is not considered.
In this paper, we propose a system to regulate the NPK and
oxygen concentration specially designed for hydroponics. The
complete methodology is described in section II. Section III
gives a complete overview of circuit diagram highlighting the
connections of all the components. Pumps are used to
eliminate the dependence on gravity. There is a dedicated tank
for concentrated solution of nitrogen, phosphorous and
potassium. Oxygen concentration is regulated using an air
pump. There is only one sensor to measure NPK levels, thus
reducing the number of sensors. An independent sensor is
used to measure oxygen level. The Arduino Mega board acts
like central processing unit [10]. Section IV highlights the
results with a special emphasis on time calculations and the
effect of solution concentration on accuracy. Section V
describes the conclusion highlighting the future scope. The
designed system can be assembled easily, consumes low
power, has good accuracy and low latency.

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 Fig. 1. Block Diagram
II. METHODOLOGY
The main objective of this project is to regulate the
nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium concentration in
Hydroponic tank. Above block diagram (Fig. 1) depicts the
proposed system. The Arduino Mega 2560 microcontroller
board is the heart of the system. There are two important
sensors used in the proposed system namely NPK sensor and
oxygen sensor. The NPK sensor is submerged in the
hydroponic tank which provides the values of Nitrogen(N),
Phosphorous(P) and Potassium(K) concentration to the
microcontroller respectively. The oxygen sensor is
also submerged in the hydroponic tank and provides the
amount of dissolved oxygen concentration present in the
water. The Nitrogen(N) reservoir, Phosphorous(P) reservoir
and Potassium(K) reservoir contains high concentrated
solutions of N, P and K respectively. Each N, P and K solution
reservoirs contains a submersible pump which is used to
transfer concentrated solutions into the hydroponic tank. All
these pumps are controlled by Arduino Mega. The air pump
bubbles the atmospheric air into the hydroponic tank and
maintains the dissolved oxygen concentration in tank. If the
amount of water is main tank is less than the predefined level,
the water pump starts working and fill the tank. The NPK
sensor present in main hydroponics tank give live readings of
N, P and K. These live readings are sent to microcontroller.
Then by following the algorithm, the microcontroller
calculates the delay time {B} for each pump to work and thus
regulates the nutrient concentration in the main hydroponic
tank. Later if the value of dissolved oxygen gets below 5
mg/Litre, the air pump will start for predefined time. An
LCD shows the live readings of NPK values and dissolved
oxygen values to user.
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A. Pseudo Code
When circuit starts, the hydroponics tank gets filled with
fresh water up to predefined level L2. Once the level L2 is
reached, water pump turns OFF. NPK sensor gives the live
readings of NPK concentration (Ncal, Pcal, Kcal). The
threshold values of N, P and K (Nth, Pth Kth) are set by the
user. The algorithm calculates the difference between
threshold values and actual values. The time for which the
pump should be on is calculated by the formula {B}. During
this time, exact quantity of NPK is transferred to the
hydroponic tank. Once the NPK concentrations are set, the
NPK pumps automatically turns OFF. The minimum
concentration of oxygen required is 5 mg/litre. Hence, the
threshold of oxygen concentration is set to 10 mg/litre. The
oxygen sensor checks the dissolved oxygen concentration in
the main hydroponic tank. If the concentration is less than
10 mg/Liter then, the air pump will be powered ON. The
pump will remain ON until the threshold value of oxygen
concentration is reached.
B. Timimg calculation for NPK pumps
STEP 1: Determine the flow rate (litre/hr) of pump used. In
the system proposed, we have used Micro DC 3-6V Micro
Submersible Pump. This pump is selected because it is low
cost, small and submersible in water. This pump runs on a 3 ~
6V power supply and can deliver an output of 120 liters per
hour with very low current consumption of 220mA. Flow rate
which is in liters per hour can be converted into milliliters per
second by multiplying liters per hour by a factor of 5/18.
STEP 2: A homogeneous mixture of water and known By running the pumps for the time calculated from the above
quantities of N, P and K are stored in 3 different tanks. Hence, formula, exact concentration of nutrients can be maintained
the concentration (mg/l) of N, P and K are already known. in the main hydroponic tank.
STEP 3: The exact concentration of nutrients to be dispensed
C. Example for time calculations
(mg/hr or mg/sec) can be calculated by multiplying the flow
rate determined in step 1 and the concentrations determined in The tanks of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are
step 2. initially filled with 10 litres of water each. 100 mg of each
STEP 4: Threshold values of N, P and K are set by the user nutrient is added in respective tanks. Hence, the concentration
depending on the crop to be grown. The threshold values must of nutrient in each tank is 10 mg/litre. The average flow rate
of the pump used is 100 litre/hr. For calculation purpose, the
be multiplied with the number of plants in the system. Current
number of plants is assumed to be 10. Also let the threshold
values are determined from the NPK sensor.
value for a single plant be 5 mg/litre and the actual value be
STEP 5: The time for which a pump should be on to regulate 20 mg/litre. Hence, the time for which pump should be on is
the desired quantity of the nutrients is determined using the given by
formula as shown below.
(n × T − A) × V (n × T − A) × V
Time (sec) = Time =
F×C
F×C
Where,
(10 × 5 (mg⁄litre)− 20(mg⁄litre)) × 50 litre
T = Threshold value for per crop (mg/l) Time =
100(litre/hr) × 10(mg/litre)
n = Number of plants
A = Actual value (mg/l) 30(mg⁄litre) × 50 litre 1500
F = Flow rate (ml/sec) Time = = 1000 hr
1000(mg/hr)
C = nutrient concentration (mg/l)
V = Volume of water in tank (l) Time = 1.5 × 3600 = 5400 sec

Fig. 2. Flow Chart

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D. Working:
The different stages of working of the system is as shown
in above diagram (Fig.3). Initially when the system is turned
ON, the tank is empty (Fig.3.a), therefore the water pump is
switched ON and the tank is filled up to the predefined level
L2 (Fig 3.b) with fresh water. Then the water pump is turned
OFF and the NPK sensor takes the readings from the main
tank.
According to the formula, nutrient solutions of N, P and K
are pumped into main tank respectively (fig 3.c). When the
(a)
(d)
Fig.3. Working
III. CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
The control circuit is composed of Arduino Mega
microcontroller, NPK sensor, dissolved oxygen sensor,
submersible pumps, transistors to drive the pumps, bridge
rectifier, voltage regulators and LCD.
There are two power supply which provides power to
entire circuit. The first power supply of 9 volts is used to
power the NPK sensor. The second power supply of 5 volts is
used to power Arduino Mega microcontroller, dissolved
oxygen sensor, submersible pumps, transistors to drive the
pumps and LCD. Two voltage regulator IC`s, 7805 and 7809
are used to provide a constant voltage to the circuit. Voltage
to the pump can be changed by changing the voltage regulator,
depending upon the voltage rating connected pump. Five
transistors are used to supply required current to pumps for
proper working.
Arduino Mega is connected to transistor circuit used for
working of pump. The values of NPK are received from the
NPK sensor. The sensor cannot directly communicate with the
microcontroller as it has a Modbus communication port.
Hence, MAX485 Modbus module is used for communication
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nutrient’s concentration is regulated, NPK pumps are turned
OFF and then the O2 sensor checks the dissolved oxygen
concentration. If the concentration is less than the threshold
value, then the air pump starts and maintains the dissolved
oxygen level (fig 3.d). After some time, as some amount of
water and nutrients may be used by the plants for their growth,
the total water level will decrease. This process will be
repeated in loops again and regulate the water level, Nutrient
concentration and dissolved oxygen concentration
continuously.
(b) (c)
(e) (f)
with microcontroller. The Arduino program calculates the
difference between actual NPK values required and
current NPK values present in the tank solution. The
difference is then taken as an input to the program to calculate
and find the accurate time for pump to work and maintain the
accurate concentration of NPK. Time calculated is given to
the transistor circuit which are connected to pumps. Using
transistor each pump will get required current to transfer the
nutrients from reservoir to tank in calculated time.
When water pump is activated. The digital pin of Arduino
(40mA current source) provides the base current. The upper
level (L2) marks the maximum level of water while the lower
level (L1) marks base of the tank. The digital pin of Arduino
is kept high for the time required to fill the tank up to upper
level L2. Water acts as a conducting medium here. When
water level reaches to the max the 40mA is connected to the
ground and the base current become zero, turning off the water
pump.
Base terminal of transistors Q1, Q2 and Q3 is connected
to Arduino. As the digital pin of Arduino is set to high, 40mA
current is passed through the base. The time for which the
digital pin of Arduino is kept high is calculated using time
delay formula. Now this 40mA current is amplified by a
transistor and supplied to the pump, so it will transfer nutrient
from reservoir to tank. When digital pin of Arduino is set to
low, current supplied to base becomes 0 and pumps will be
switched ‘off’.
If Oxygen level in the main tank gets lowered than 5 mg/L,
the oxygen pump will be powered by Arduino and pump air
in to the tank. Once the oxygen level reaches to required level,
pump will stop working. A 20x4 LCD is used to display the
quantity of NPK and oxygen level in the main tank.

Bridge Rectifier 5V

N P K Air Water
Pump Pump Pump Pump Pump

9V

L2

Tank
L1

Level Sensor

LCD

Signal Converter Board

MAX485 Modbus Module

Oxygen Sensor Probe

NPK Sensor

Fig. 4. Circuit Diagram

IV. RESULTS Time = 0.001 × 3600 = 3.6sec

The results are as shown in table I, table II, table III
respectively. Two set of concentrated solutions having Similarly, the time required to transfer 5mg of either N or
concentration of 10 µg/ml and 5 µg/ml for N, P and K, were P or K can be calculated as follows
made respectively. Different volumes in multiples of 100 ml
(n × T − A) × V
of N, P and K solutions were transferred to the hydroponic Time =
F×C
tank. To transfer 1 mg of either N or P or K, 100 ml of
respective solution must be transferred. The volume of (5 mg/litre) × 1 litre 5
hydroponic tank is 1liter. Time = = 1000 hr
100(litre/hr) × 10(mg/litre)
The time required to transfer 1mg of either N or P or K can
be calculated as follows Time = 0.005 × 3600 = 18 sec
(n × T − A) × V
Time =
F×C However, practically, slightly more volume of solution is
transferred due to the inertia of the motor during ON OFF
(1 mg/litre) × 1 litre 1
Time = = 1000 hr operation. This is as shown in tables I, II and III.
100(litre/hr) × 10(mg/litre)

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 Example: Let us consider a case where we need to regulate From the table above, we can make 2 observations
the difference of 1 mg of phosphorous considering volume of If volume of solution that needs to be transferred is more
tank (V) equals to 1litre. So, for 10 µg/ml solution according (≥500ml) the effective error (extra volume transferred) is less
to the formula ideally 100 ml of phosphorous solution must be and if volume of solution that needs to be transferred is less
transferred by activating phosphorous pump for 3.6 sec but in (≤ 500 ml) then the 5 µg/ml solution shows higher accuracy
practical case the volume of phosphorous solution transferred in calibrating the level of nutrients than 10 µg/ml solution.
is 110 ml. Therefore, extra 10 ml is transferred which
corresponds to extra 100 µg phosphorous is transferred. V. CONCLUSION
Similarly, for 5 µg/ml solution to maintain the difference of 1
The proposed system is cheap and very useful for growing
mg, 200 ml of P solution must be transferred but practically
crops hydroponically at home. This system demonstrates the
210 ml is transferred. Therefore, extra 10 ml will constitute to
effective use of the pumps, thus eliminating the dependence
extra 50 µg phosphorous. This shows that the error reduces by
on gravity for the flow of water carrying nutrients as in other
50 percent.
applications. The proposed system can be integrated very
easily to the components used in hydroponics. The system
TABLE I: THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL VALUES OF NITROGEN SOLUTION consumes less power, has good accuracy and low latency. In
TRANSFERRED BY THE PUMP
the future the system data can be logged on to a cloud and can
C = 10 µg/ml C = 5 µg/ml be made available remotely. Also, the same system
Time
Sr.no Required
Theoretical Practical Theoretical Practical architecture can be used for other than home hydroponics.
transferred transferred transferred transferred
(sec)
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