Real-time remote corn growth monitoring system using plant wearable fiber Bragg grating sensor

Abstract

Modern plant physiology and environmental factor quantification technologies rely on non-contact spectroscopy, airborne/satellite photography, and machine vision. Unfortunately, many plant health monitoring systems lack spatial and temporal resolution, continuous, dependable data, and the ability to track plant health or understand how biological and environmental factors influence plant growth. Some current methods are insufficient for real-time crop monitoring due to electromagnetic interference and biocompatibility. This paper presents a novel fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor system with flexible silicone clamps for monitoring corn ear growth over time. To measure the axial growth distance, a camera takes images of the corn ears at the same time, while a graduated circular tower is developed to measure the radial dimensions. To investigate how environmental conditions influence corn development, a unique circuit board was created to monitor temperature, humidity, and light intensity. In this experiment, the FBG sensor system was designed to measure corn ear axial and radial growth for 72 h. The experimental results demonstrate that on average the corn ear grows 1.25 mm axially and has a sensitivity of 0.01 nm/mm. Furthermore, the slope of the fitted line (= 0.04 nm/mm) indicates the radial clamps sensitivity, with an average increase in corn ear girth of 5.41 mm. This study used a low-cost integrated flexible silicone clamp to hold the FBG sensor without impeding plant growth. As a result, even in challenging field conditions, the sensor can monitor the axial and circumferential growth of corn ears. These discoveries will aid in the adoption and improvement of cutting-edge technology in smart agriculture applications, providing important data for crop yields and agricultural advantages.