A Smart Farming System for Rubber Nursery Management in Monitoring Plant Growth Performance Using IoT Technology

Abstract Rubber plantations are an integral part of economy in Malaysia. However, inadequate soil moisture poses a significant problem for rubber trees as it can lead to water stress, ultimately hindering their growth, leaf development, and latex production. Water stress occurs when the trees are unable to obtain sufficient water from the soil, which resulting in stunted growth, leaf development, leading to fewer and smaller leaves. There is needed an effective water management strategy to ensure optimal growth of rubber trees for latex production. Thus, this project is aim to design and build an active soil monitoring system based on the Internet of Things (IoT). This system is made up of two major components: soil moisture and light intensity. The first component is a soil moisture sensor, which determines the soil’s moisture content; light intensity sensor, which detects the intensity of the light and ANSELF Brushless DC Pump connected to an Arduino. This system provides sustainable solutions to increase crop output, reduce waste, and develop a greener plant cultivation. This smart monitoring plant growth system prototype is important in agriculture and plant production. It has potential to promote healthy plant growth and increase agricultural production.