Scopes:

Greenhouse overall efficiency and profit increase will be realized by the following means in the project scope:

AI system accommodating sensors and automation tools in the market
DSS integrated to AI system, Mobile Application and data resources
IPPM methods integrated to AI system with low/precise pesticide usage and new pesticide free methods
Agro PV bench integrated to AI system

Preservation of resources will be realized by the following means in the project scope:

Bio-degradable peat-free growth media obtained from circular waste stream
Separate Low-Eand solar control coatings for cold and hot climate conditions respectively,
Novel biosensors integrated to AI system to manage the water quality and drainage nutrient content
AI System, IPPM and Agro PV will also contribute to the preservation of resources as a secondary impact

Main SusMedHouse components are explained in detail below:

AI with Sensors and Automation System:

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AI will mainly optimize the plant growth by self-learning the best conditions for the plants with respect to the most effective parameters of greenhouse among humidity and temperature of the air, EC, pH of the growth media (including soil) and water, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR); considering feedbacks from image processing system, crop weight and proximity sensor data. AI will also optimise water, sunlight and pesticide usage. In addition to optimization features, AI will perform monitoring and controllingof the greenhouse via sensor network and automation system.

Integrated Production and Pest Management (IPPM):

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The approach for IPPM in SusMedHouse is the early detection of the pests and pathogen related problems. Image processing tools will be used as a sensitive, reliable and non-destructive method for pest and anomaly detection on plants, and as a mean for product quality and growth monitoring. AVIPE has expertise on pest management methods including spraying methods and pesticide free methods like sexual confusionand will develop a new and customized method for pesticide spraying. SusMedHouse integrates pest and pathogen management into all aspects of the greenhouse cultivation with AI and DSS. AI will use deep learning algorithms for accurate detection and DSS will act as an interface for IPPM. Automation system will take action immediately with robotic spraying tools and eliminating the problem before it spreads and minimizing the pesticide usage. AR&TeCS will integrate developed pesticide spraying method and an innovative image processing system to robotic tools with AI and DSS integration.

Bio-degradable peat-free growth media:

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In order to strengthen eco- innovation in greenhouse cultivation, CNR-ISAFOM will develop more sustainable growth media using compost instead of peat (non-renewable resource). Building on a long run experience, CNR-ISAFOM will compost selected organic waste streams by using the Composter, homemade laboratory equipment that releases excellent products in short time: the best ones, selected as peat surrogate, will be properly mixed with zeolites to make ideal substrates with optimal agronomical features. The use of safe, biologically stable, mature, rich in nutrients, compost will boost efficiency in the use of natural resources; moreover, the potential suppressiveness ability of compost, often shown against some relevant soil borne pathogens for plant, could help in pest management, thus resulting in a desirable less use of both fertilizers and pesticides.

Sunlight and Lighting Optimisation:

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Sunlight and Lighting optimization will include development of innovative coatingsand application ofAgro PV. In SusMedHouse, novel cover materials namely Low-Eand solar control coatings will be developed to reduce energy consumption due to cooling and heating respectively by Fraunhofer ISE. Radiation can be reduced by Low-Ecoatings whereassolar heat load can be reduced by solar control coatings. In addition to innovative cover materials, a bench for Agro PVis accommodated in SusMedHouse in the scope of sunlight optimization. The main idea of Agro PVis the double use of limited lands for both growing crops and producing electricity from photovoltaics. It is an optimization of sunlight that cause some efficiency loss in the crop yield due to shading but can increase overall efficiency beyond 60%. Solar Panel covering a part of Agro PVwill be integrated with AI and artificial LED lighting system to optimize sunlight by AR&TeCS.

Decision Support System (DSS):

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DSS will be a smart monitoringand control interface via Mobile Application for AI, IPPM, sunlight and lighting optimisation,and sensor and automation network of SusMedHouse. It will provide insight to greenhouse cultivation and management. DSS will provide the farmer with comprehensive information on general state of the greenhouse with the data provided from sensor network. It will be a platform for IPPM, informing the grower about risks and the detection of pest and any other anomaly on the plants. With the data from image processing system, DSS will also be able to determine harvest yield and time for specific parts of the greenhouse and inform the farmer, providing efficient hand labour. After harvest, DSS can assess which crop is better suited for next cultivation with respect to soil properties and predicted economical value. In case of artificial lighting application, DSS will guide the farmer with predicted electrical energy expenditure versus plant growth preliminary feasibility. In the greenhouse, during the night, or when sunlight is not enough for plant growth during the day, DSS will alert the farmer. DSS, integrated with AI, will get market electricity prices for that specific time and calculate estimated crop quantity and overall cost of the product at the time of harvest. It will show the farmer total cost and expected gain for both cases and let the farmerdecide whether to use the LEDs or not. With the features of DSS, a predictable and sustainable production will be realised; and estimation of profits and losses will increase competitiveness of Mediterranean greenhouses. DSS will be designed and developedby AR&TeCS using his experience gained “Modular Remote Watching, Measuring and Control System” project, with the support from related other Partners

Biosensors:

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Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Toxicity and Microorganism Biosensors will be developed in the scope of the project in order to analyse the water quality for irrigation and nutrition leakages in drainage. WOLAhas an expertise on the biosensors and has products on the market. Innovative equipment accomplishing above mentioned biosensing will be developed for SusMedHouse by WOLA.