Intelligent Sapling Shield: An Autonomous System for Sustainable Plant Care

Authors

  • Vijay Mane

    Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune 411037, India

  • Harshal Ambadas Durge

    Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune 411037, India

  • Medha Wyawahare

    Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune 411037, India

  • Siddharth Bhorge

    Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune 411037, India

  • Kirti Wanjale

    Department of Computer Engineering, Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune 411037, India

  • Ashwini Barbadekar

    Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune 411037, India

  • Milind Kamble

    Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune 411037, India

  • Chin-Shiuh Shieh

    Department of Electronic Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 80778, Taiwan

  • Rupali Atul Mahajan

    Department of Computer Engineering, Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune 411037, India

  • Rajesh Dey

    Department of Electronic Engineering, Gopal Narayan Singh University Bihar, Jamuhar 821305, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v7i9.9140
Received: 18 March 2025 | Revised: 29 August 2025 | Accepted: 8 September 2025 | Published Online: 17 September 2025

Abstract

Plant health is increasingly threatened by environmental stressors, improper irrigation practices, and animal interference, leading to decreased growth and vitality. Current solutions often fail to integrate autonomous irrigation with effective deterrent mechanisms in a single system. This paper presents the Intelligent Sapling Shield, an innovative device designed to enhance plant protection and optimize growth conditions. The system features an autonomous soil moisture regulation mechanism to optimize water usage, reducing wastage and irrigation costs, while a vibrational deterrent system mitigates animal interference, preventing crop damage. Constructed from plastic mesh, the device ensures proper sunlight exposure, airflow, and shade, with an integrated waterproof LED strip for night-time illumination. Results demonstrate that the system maintains optimal soil moisture levels, reducing water consumption compared to traditional irrigation methods. Additionally, automated plant care minimizes labour requirements, ensuring consistent hydration and protection while enhancing crop resilience and yield. The design emphasizes affordability, portability, and ease of installation, making it suitable for both small-scale urban gardening and large-scale agricultural deployment. Its modular structure allows for customization depending on plant type and environmental conditions, further extending its applicability. By integrating irrigation efficiency, protective deterrence, and energy-efficient illumination, the Intelligent Sapling Shield creates a holistic solution that addresses multiple challenges faced in plant cultivation. By promoting cost-effective, resource-efficient, and sustainable agricultural practices, the Intelligent Sapling Shield contributes to urban greening initiatives and biodiversity conservation, supporting long-term ecological sustainability and offering significant potential for future smart farming innovations.

Keywords:

Smart Farming; Precision Agriculture; Agricultural Resource Optimizatio; Agricultural Productivity

References

[1] Vagulabranan, R., Karthikeyan, M., Sasikala, V., 2016. Automatic irrigation system on sensing soil moisture content. International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET). 3(3), 206–208.

[2] Taneja, K., Bhatia, S., 2017. Automatic irrigation system using Arduino UNO. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Intelligent Computing and Control Systems (ICICCS), Madurai, India, 15–16 June 2017; pp. 1–5.

[3] Gutiérrez, J., Villa-Medina, J.F., Nieto-Garibay, A., et al., 2013. Automated irrigation system using a wireless sensor network and GPRS module. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement. 63(1), 166–176. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/TIM.2013.2276487

[4] Patrialova, S.N., Agasta, T., Sari, I.N., 2021. Prototype design of automatic light intensity control in smart greenhouse. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Advanced Mechatronics, Intelligent Manufacture and Industrial Automation (ICAMIMIA), Surabaya, Indonesia, 13–14 October 2021; pp. 41–46.

[5] Zuazo, V.H., Pleguezuelo, C.R., 2009. Soil-erosion and runoff prevention by plant covers: a review. Sustainable Agriculture. 785–811.

[6] Dan, M., Visileanu, E., Dumitrescu, I., et al., 2010. Manufactures textile cover meant for plant protection in the cold season. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Advanced Materials and Systems, Bucharest, Romania, 16–18 September 2010; pp. 16–18.

[7] Kohli, A., Kohli, R., Singh, B., et al., 2020. Smart plant monitoring system using IoT technology. In: Ray, P.P., Gupta, B.B. (eds.). Handbook of Research on the Internet of Things Applications in Robotics and Automation. IGI Global: Hershey, PA, USA. pp. 318–366.

[8] Akwu, S., Bature, U.I., Jahun, K.I., et al., 2020. Automatic plant irrigation control system using Arduino and GSM module. International Journal of Engineering and Manufacturing. 10(3), 12.

[9] Devika, C.M., Bose, K., Vijayalekshmy, S., 2017. Automatic plant irrigation system using Arduino. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Circuits and Systems (ICCS), Kerala, India, 20–21 November 2017; pp. 384–387.

[10] Darko, E., Heydarizadeh, P., Schoefs, B., et al., 2014. Photosynthesis under artificial light: the shift in primary and secondary metabolism. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 369(1640), 20130243. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2013.0243

[11] Ouzounis, T., Rosenqvist, E., Ottosen, C.O., 2015. Spectral effects of artificial light on plant physiology and secondary metabolism: A review. HortScience. 50(8), 1128–1135.

[12] Dutta Gupta, S., Agarwal, A., 2017. Artificial lighting system for plant growth and development: chronological advancement, working principles, and comparative assessment. In: Dutta Gupta, S. (ed.). Light Emitting Diodes for Agriculture: Smart Lighting. Springer: Singapore. pp. 1–25.

[13] Yulianto, Y., 2023. Relay driver based on Arduino UNO to bridge the gap of the digital output voltage of the Node MCU ESP32. Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science Journal (EMACS). 5(3), 129–135.

[14] Shaibu, H.A., Ogakwu, P.A., Binfa, B., et al., 2019. Development of an Arduino controlled robotic arm. Journal of Good Governance and Sustainable Development in Africa. 5(2), 73–82.

[15] Zou, X., Thiruvenkatanathan, P., Seshia, A.A., 2014. A seismic-grade resonant MEMS accelerometer. Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems. 23(4), 768–770.

[16] Mane, V.M., Durge, H.A., 2024. Multifeatured electronic helmet to enhance road safety and rider’s comfort. Proceedings of Engineering Technology and Innovation. 28, 41–54.

[17] Lakshmi, A.B., Ragunath, C., Yeswanth, R., et al., 2024. Smart helmet for riders to avoid accidents using IoT. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Computer, Communication and Control (IC4), Pune, India, 23–24 February 2024; pp. 1–4.

[18] Aringo, M.Q., Martinez, C.G., Martinez, O.G., et al., 2022. Development of low-cost soil moisture monitoring system for efficient irrigation water management of upland crops. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 1038(1), 012029. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1038/1/012029

[19] Shamrat, F.J., Hossain, A., Roy, T., et al., 2021. IoT based smart automated agriculture and real time monitoring system. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart Electronics and Communication (ICOSEC), Trichy, India, 9–11 September 2021; pp. 47–53.

[20] Sakib, M.N., Sohel, M.M., Islam, S., et al., 2021. Smart solution for low humidity problems using automatic ultrasonic humidifier (AUH). IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. 1078(1), 012035. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1078/1/012035

[21] Soren, G.S., Gupta, R.A., 2015. Temperature controlled DC fan using microcontroller [Doctoral thesis]. National Institute of Technology Rourkela: Rourkela, India.

[22] Khan, A.A., Cha, H., Ahmed, H.F., 2015. High efficiency buck and boost type AC-AC converters. In Proceedings of the European Conference on Power Electronics and Applications (EPE'15 ECCE-Europe), Geneva, Switzerland, 8–10 September 2015; pp. 1–10.

[23] Akhila, S., Nithyan, N., Sowmya, C., et al., 2019. Design and implementation of real-time monitoring using Arduino based indoor artificial environment. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Communication and Electronics Systems (ICCES), Coimbatore, India, 17–19 July 2019; pp. 403–408.

[24] Burjes, A.Y., Najm, H.Y., Ahmad, S.M., 2022. Design and executing automatic solar tracking system (ASTS) based on Arduino-Mega and light intensity sensor GY-30. ResearchJet Journal of Analysis and Inventions. 3(8), 1–17.

[25] Doraswamy, B., 2016. Automatic irrigation system using Arduino controller. International Journal of Advanced Technology and Innovative Research. 8(4), 635–642.

[26] Jia, L., 2024. Design of a smart lighting system based on sensor integration and automation. Science and Technology of Engineering, Chemistry and Environmental Protection. 1(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.61173/z9vn5c87

[27] Haile, G.G., Tang, Q., Reda, K.W., et al., 2024. Projected impacts of climate change on global irrigation water withdrawals. Agricultural Water Management. 305, 109144. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2024.109144

[28] Postel, S., Polak, P., Gonzales, F., et al., 2001. Drip irrigation for small farmers: a new initiative to alleviate hunger and poverty. Water International. 26(1), 3–13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02508060108686882

[29] Tilman, D., Clark, M., Williams, D.R., et al., 2017. Future threats to biodiversity and pathways to their prevention. Nature. 546(7656), 73–81. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature22900

[30] Singh, R., Kumar, N., Mehra, R., et al., 2020. Progress and challenges in the detection of residual pesticides using nanotechnology based colorimetric techniques. Trends in Environmental Analytical Chemistry. 26, e00086. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teac.2020.e00086

[31] Pivac, I., Šimunović, J., Barbir, F., et al., 2024. Reduction of greenhouse gases emissions by use of hydrogen produced in a refinery by water electrolysis. Energy. 296, 131157. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2024.131157

[32] Rizwan, M., Tanveer, H., Ali, M.H., et al., 2024. Role of reactive nitrogen species in changing climate and future concerns of environmental sustainability. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 31(39), 51147–51163. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-34647-2

[33] Sorooshian, S., 2024. The sustainable development goals of the United Nations: A comparative midterm research review. Journal of Cleaner Production. 142272. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.142272

[34] Liu, X., Zhao, Z., Rezaeipanah, A., 2025. Intelligent and automatic irrigation system based on internet of things using fuzzy control technology. Scientific Reports. 15, 14577. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98137-2

[35] Benzaouia, M., Hajji, B., Mellit, A., et al., 2023. Fuzzy-IoT smart irrigation system for precision scheduling and monitoring. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. 215, 108407. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2023.108407

[36] Abdelhamid, M.A., Abdelkader, T.K., Sayed, H.A.A., et al., 2025. Design and evaluation of a solar powered smart irrigation system for sustainable urban agriculture. Scientific Reports. 15(1), 11761. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94251-3

[37] Singha, A., Gope, H.L., Islam, A.M., et al., 2024. Integrating IoT-based smart irrigation systems to optimize crop yield and water management for sustainable agriculture. In Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Computing Advancements, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 9–11 January 2024; pp. 123–130.

[38] Hasan, M., Bhat, A.G., Kumar, V.S., et al., 2025. IoT-based smart fertigation scheduling and wireless microclimate monitoring for a greenhouse Dutch bucket hydroponic system. Irrigation and Drainage. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.70012

[39] Gupta, S., Chowdhury, S., Govindaraj, R., et al., 2025. Smart agriculture using IoT for automated irrigation, water and energy efficiency. Smart Agricultural Technology. 101081. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atech.2025.101081

Downloads

How to Cite

Mane, V., Harshal Ambadas Durge, Medha Wyawahare, Siddharth Bhorge, Kirti Wanjale, Ashwini Barbadekar, Milind Kamble, Chin-Shiuh Shieh, Rupali Atul Mahajan, & Rajesh Dey. (2025). Intelligent Sapling Shield: An Autonomous System for Sustainable Plant Care. Journal of Environmental & Earth Sciences, 7(9), 61–75. https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v7i9.9140