Spatiotemporal Analysis of Small Scale Greenhouse Microclimate Based on Smart Agriculture System

Abstract

There is a need for high cutting-edge technological ICT application in agriculturein order to embark on the current decline in agriculture labor force in Japan.However, few small-scale farmers are able or willing to risk significant capital onsensing technologies. There is a challenge in horticultural greenhouse farming toprovide a well-controlled microclimate environment to meet well-developed cropswith high yield and quality crop production while using fewer resources. In thisstudy, a cost-effective simplified smart agriculture system was developed anddeployed in small-scale tomato greenhouse farming in Nara, Japan. The systemreal-time information capability is used for monitoring crop environment for propercrop management. A spatiotemporal analysis was done to assess variations andunderstand the underlying microclimate conditions in the partitioned tomatogreenhouse (blocks). Crop production is done all year around (An average of 2.5times cropping cycle per one greenhouse block). Spatiotemporal analysis andstatistical analysis results show well-defined micro-climate control strategies thatcould relatively be used in greenhouse facility management to enhance cropcultivation while using less energy resource that is relatively cost-effective. Thereliability of the system data makes it efficient and consequently it could be usedfor accurate crop production planning, improvement in cultivation managementand support in decision-making regarding cultivation activities.