Application of a potentiometric electronic tongue to fertigation strategy in greenhouse cultivation

Authors:
M. Gutiérrez;S. Alegret;R. Cáceres;J. Casadesús;O. Marfí;M. del Valle
Affiliations:
Sensors & Biosensors Group, Department of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Edifici Cn, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain;Sensors & Biosensors Group, Department of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Edifici Cn, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain;Department of Horticultural Technology, IRTA, 08348 Cabrils, Barcelona, Spain;Department of Horticultural Technology, IRTA, 08348 Cabrils, Barcelona, Spain;Department of Horticultural Technology, IRTA, 08348 Cabrils, Barcelona, Spain;Sensors & Biosensors Group, Department of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Edifici Cn, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
Venue:
Computers and Electronics in Agriculture
Year:
2007

Citing 1
Cited 1

Neural networks: algorithms, applications, and programming techniques

Neural networks: algorithms, applications, and programming techniques

Automated sensing of hydroponic macronutrients using a computer-controlled system with an array of ion-selective electrodes

Computers and Electronics in Agriculture

Quantified Score

Hi-index	0.01

Visualization

Abstract

The use of an electronic tongue is proposed for the first time in the supervision of the nutrient solution composition produced by a fertigation system. This new approach in chemical analysis consists of an array of non-specific sensors coupled with a multivariate calibration tool. For the studied case, the proposed system was formed by a sensor array of eight potentiometric sensors based on polymeric (PVC) membranes. The subsequent cross-response processing was based on a multilayer artificial neural network (ANN) model. This model predicted the concentration values of ammonium, potassium and nitrate, and the undesired saline sodium and chloride compounds in nutrient solution, drainage solution and tap water, departing from the information supplied by the sensor array plus temperature. Results showed good prediction ability for the different chemical species except for chloride, where the strong interfering effects of nitrate could not be balanced. The approach appears as a feasible method for the in-line assessment of nutrients and undesired compounds in fertigation solutions.