Design and development of an automated and non-contact sensing system for continuous monitoring of plant health and growth.

An automated system was designed and built to continuously monitor plant health and growth in a controlled environment using a distributed system approach for operational control and data collection. The computer-controlled system consisted of a motorized turntable to present the plants to the stationary sensors and reduce microclimate variability among the plants. Major sensing capabilities of the system included machine vision, infrared thermometry, time domain reflectometry, and micro-lysimeters. The system also maintained precise growth-medium moisture levels through a computer-controlled drip irrigation system. The system was capable of collecting required data continuously to monitor and to evaluate the plant health and growth.