Optimizing barley growth conditions using colored greenhouse covers and IoT-based environmental monitoring

This study investigated the impact of colored greenhouse covers and IoT integration on optimizing environmental conditions for barley cultivation. The primary objective was to evaluate how different cover colors (blue, white, red, green) alter microclimatic parameters (temperature, humidity, light) and influence barley growth, supported by IoT-enabled monitoring systems. Four identical greenhouses in Assiut, Egypt, equipped with automated irrigation and IoT sensors, were tested under varying cover colors. Environmental data (temperature, humidity, wind speed) and plant metrics (biomass, length, Light intensity) were collected and analyzed. Results revealed significant color-specific effects: red covers retained the highest internal temperatures (30.45°C) and humidity (66.5%), suitable for crops requiring warm, humid conditions. Green covers maintained cooler temperatures (29°C) and lower humidity (58.5%), ideal for moderate climates. Blue covers promoted advanced vegetative growth (160 mm plant length by day 10) due to enhanced chlorophyll-a activation, while red covers favored early-stage growth (100 mm by day 5) via stem elongation. An analysis of light intensity showed red and blue covers transmitted optimal light levels (27,000–37,800 lux), aligning with barley’s photosynthetic needs, whereas green covers underperformed (10,600–28,300 lux). IoT systems enabled real-time monitoring, confirming that wind speed inversely affected internal temperatures. The study concludes that selecting cover colors based on crop-specific requirements and integrating IoT technologies can significantly enhance growth efficiency and resource management in controlled environments.