Soil Nutrition In Plants

CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

This chapter presents the background of the study, the statement of the problem, the objectives, the significance, the scope and the limitations of the study.

1.1 Introduction

Soil’s characteristics plays an important part for the ability of the plant to extract water and nutrients. For plants to grow to their optimal level, the soil must provide an adequate environment for plant growth. Soil provides anchorage, water, oxygen, temperature modification, and nutrients that is vital to plant growth. The natural capability of the soil to supply sufficient amount of nutrients to the plants refers to the soil fertility status. It is an essential element for the proper growth of plants for a fruitful harvest.

There are two groups of soil nutrients namely macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are the nutrients needed at huge amounts in the plants. It is divided into primary and secondary macronutrients. Primary macronutrients is composed of the familiar Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K), usually abbreviated as “NPK”. The secondary macronutrients consists Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulfur. Micronutrients, on the other hand, are the nutrients needed at low levels in the plants but also plays an important role in balanced crop nutrition and is also essential for plant growth. Micronutrients include Boron (B), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Molybdenum (Mo), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), and Chloride (Cl). They are as important as the primary and secondary macronutrients to plant nutrition even though plants don’t require as much of them. An absence of any one of the micronutrients in the soil can affect and limit plant’s growth, even when all other nutrients are present in sufficient

It is done with the use of digital image processing in replacement to the conventional comparison to the color chart. The automation of the conventional way provided more accuracy, more convenience, and has eliminated human error and prejudice in coming up with the results. This study aims to further develop the previous studies by adding the automation of the secondary macronutrients, micronutrients, and the addition of organic fertilizer on the recommendation. The chemical testing of the soil is to be done with the same process from the previous studies; using gear motor, hydraulic pumps, and an Arduino. The analyses of macronutrients, micronutrients, and pH level of the soil are to be done digitally using image processing supported by different algorithm through Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System