Utilization of IoT in the Horticulture Sector: Innovative Solutions for Agriculture Support

Overview

The Utilization of IoT in the Horticulture Sector dataset published on Mendeley Data in August 2025 provides real-world data from IoT-enabled horticulture systems, showcasing innovative technological solutions for controlled environment agriculture.

Scope and Context

• Data collected from greenhouse and controlled environment horticulture facilities.
• Focus on fruit and vegetable cultivation including tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, strawberries, and ornamental plants.
• Integration of multiple sensor types and automated control systems for optimal growing conditions.

Measured Parameters

• Environmental Controls: Temperature, humidity, CO₂ concentration, and light intensity (PAR - photosynthetically active radiation).
• Irrigation and Nutrients: Soil or substrate moisture, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and nutrient solution composition.
• Plant Health Indicators: Growth measurements, leaf temperature, and visual monitoring data.
• Energy and Resources: Water consumption, energy usage for heating/cooling/lighting, and ventilation system status.

IoT System Architecture

• Wireless sensor networks deployed throughout greenhouse facilities with centralized data collection.
• Automated actuator control for irrigation valves, ventilation fans, heating systems, shade curtains, and supplemental lighting.
• Cloud-based monitoring and control interfaces enabling remote management.
• Data logging at configurable intervals (typically 5-15 minutes) for comprehensive environmental tracking.

Use Cases

• Precision horticulture: Optimizing growing conditions for specific crops and growth stages.
• Resource efficiency: Minimizing water, energy, and fertilizer use while maximizing yield and quality.
• Climate control algorithms: Developing and testing automated greenhouse climate management systems.
• Crop modeling: Building predictive models for growth, flowering, and harvest timing based on environmental data.
• Decision support systems: Creating tools to assist growers in real-time management decisions.