Evaluating the Impact of Controlled Ultraviolet Light Intensities on the Growth of Kale Using IoT-Based Systems

Abstract

Incorporating Internet of Things (IoT) technology into indoor kale cultivation holds significant promise for revolutionizing organic farming methodologies. While numerous studies have investigated the impact of environmental factors on kale growth in IoT-based smart agricultural systems, such as temperature, humidity, and nutrient levels, indoor ultraviolet (UV) LED light’s operational efficiencies and advantages in organic farming still need to be explored. This study assessed the efficacy of 15 UV light-controlling indoor experiments in three distinct lighting groups: kale cultivated using conventional household LED lights, kale cultivated using specialized indoor UV lights designed for plant cultivation, and kale cultivated using hybrid household and LED grow lights. The real-time IoT-based monitoring of light, soil, humidity, and air conditions, as well as automated irrigation using a water droplet system, was employed throughout the experiment. The experimental setup for air conditioning maintained temperatures at a constant 26 degrees Celsius over the 45-day study period. The results revealed that a combination of daylight household lights and indoor 4000 K grow lights scored the highest, indicating optimal growth conditions. The second group exposed to warm white household and indoor grow red light exhibited slightly lower scores but larger leaf size than the third group grown under indoor grow red light, likely attributable to reduced light intensity or suboptimal nutrient levels. This study highlights the potential of indoor UV LED light farming to address challenges posed by urbanization and climate change, thereby contributing to efforts to mitigate agricultural carbon emissions and enhance food security in urban environments. This research contributes to positioning kale as a sustainable organic superfood by optimizing kale cultivation.