CLSU International Journal

of Science and Technology

www.clsu-ijst.org
ISSN 2507 -9638 (online)
The CLSU International Journal of Science and Technology was previously published as CLSU Scientific Journal since 1965.

EVALUATION OF SOLAR-POWERED AUTOMATED DRIP

IRRIGATION SYSTEM WITH PLASTIC MULCHING IN TOMATO
(Solanum lycopersicum) PRODUCTION
Val A. Alcantara1, Gloria N. Ramos1, Vitaliana U. Malamug1, and John Vincent A. Nate2
1Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Central Luzon State University
2Crop and Resources Research and Development Center, Central Luzon State University

Email for correspondence: [email protected]

Submitted: June 30, 2023. Accepted: TBA. Published Online: TBA

Abstract
In recent years, automation has been developed to reduce the demand for manual irrigation, as
automation has numerous advantages in farming. This study was conducted to determine and evaluate
the performance of the ADIS with plastic mulch in tomato production. The study utilized a CRD with three
(3) treatments and four (4) replications.
In ADIS with plastic mulch, plant height (52.14 cm), fruit quantity (4.91), fruit weight (36.84 g),
fruit yield (130.08 g), and total fruit yield (3.12 kg) were found to be higher compared to drip irrigation
systems with mango leaves mulch and without mulch, plant height (51.20 cm and 47.79 cm), fruit quantity
(3.58 and 3.05), fruit weight (34.70 g and 32.12 g), fruit yield (92.13 g and 91.72), and total fruit yield (2.56
kg and 2.30 kg). In terms of water productivity and consumption, it was determined that ADIS with plastic
mulch has the highest WP and low WC (0.016 kg/L and 801.40 L) compared to drip irrigation with mango
leaves mulch (0.009 kg/L and 1015.60 L) and without mulch (0.007 kg/L and 1345.40 L). The study revealed
that using the ADIS system with plastic mulch was cost viable for farmers, and implementing ADIS with
plastic mulch could lead to cost reductions and more efficient resource allocation on farms, resulting in
increased profits.

Keywords: automated drip irrigation system; cost viability; system performance

Introduction
Tomato is the one commodity in the irrigation provides several agricultural water
Philippines contributing to farmers' income. For its conservation and increases the growth and yield of
many purposes, including food and skin, the crop is the crops (Tiwari, Singh, & Mal, 2003).
expected to have a large market, both locally and Recent years have seen a gradual shift
globally (DA, 2021). However, tomato is sensitive to toward drip irrigation, a more effective delivery
water shortages and excesses due to their shallow system. Scheduling water application is crucial for
root system; therefore, a more exact water maximizing the efficiency of drip irrigation since
distribution system is necessary. Irrigation efficiency is excessive watering has a detrimental effect on crop
becoming more critical for the growth and yield of growth and yield. In addition, insufficient irrigation
tomatoes. Water application methods, such as drip results in water stress and decreases productivity
irrigation, may significantly contribute to the most (Yuanm Sun, & Nishiyama, 2004). Drip irrigation is
efficient water use in agriculture and increase widely used for all crops with effective water-saving
irrigation efficiency (Sezen, Yazar, & Salim, 2006). Drip techniques up to 80% in different crops with enhanced

*DOI: to be provided by the CLSU IJST Staff 1

crop yields. However, the current issue of optimizing increase, fruit disease protection, ease of drip
plant growth while minimizing expenses requires irrigation, and water conservation (Ekinchi & Dursun,
developing an irrigation system that minimizes water 2007).
waste and reduces labor and monitoring costs (Hakimi,
2016). Automation mitigates the drawbacks of surface
systems' high labor needs and inefficient water use.
Farmers can make intelligent choices based on precise,
real-time data by automating the drip irrigation
system. Thus, automation is specifically
recommended in the drip irrigation technique to
reduce water input and human intervention, increase
efficiency, and satisfy the plant's demands. It increases
irrigation efficiency, allowing workers to focus on
other crucial farming tasks (Agrawal & Singhal, 2015).
Mulching is a critical technique which
provides essential benefits such as weed control, soil
moisture conservation, increased soil temperature, Figure 1. Location of the study (Source:
erosion control, and removal of pesticides, fertilizers, Google Earth)
and heavy metals residues, earliness and yield

Materials and Methods

The total land area for tomato production It has 12 hills for Agronomic Evaluation and
was 80 square meters, divided into 12 hills, and each four (4) hills for using an Automated Drip Irrigation
row was marked with stakes to designate its System with plastic mulching, drip irrigation without
specifications. The water source was a solar pump that mulching, and mango leaf mulching. It collected data
already exists in CRRDC. The distance between rows on the 64th, 67th, 71st, 75th, 79th, 83rd, 87th , and 91st
was 0.75 meters, and the optimal distance between days after transplantation (DAT). Using a measuring
tomato plants was 0.5 meters. tape, it measured the plant height (cm) from the base
At Central Luzon State University's Crop and to the tip of the highest leaf. Manually counted and
Resources Research and Development Center, the averaged fruit quantity, fruit weight (g), fruit yield (g),
Automated Drip Irrigation System was installed. Soil and total fruit yield (kg).
Moisture Sensors were used to identify when it is Management and Practices in Cultural Management
needed to irrigate the three (3) treatments. In contrast, Growing Tomatoes
irrigating intervals for the drip irrigated treatments Drip Irrigation delivered water, and the
depend on using a Soil Moisture Sensor. It evaluated tomato was nourished with Urea, complete and
the crop response to the two methods using equal muriate of potash. The three (3) treatments were
fertilization and plant protection. It evaluated crop solar-powered Automated Drip Irrigation Method
production, water productivity, operational expenses, with plastic mulching, a drip irrigation method without
and cost production viability for the Drip Irrigation mulching, and mango leaves mulching.
System that utilized a solar-powered Automated Drip Control of Pests
Irrigation System with plastic mulch, Drip Irrigation It monitored the tomato plants regularly, and
System without mulch, and mango leaves mulch. checked pests and diseases manually. However, it
The ADIS micro-controllers and sensor applied DuPont Lannate half a tablespoon with 4 liters
consisted of a solar panel, a charge controller, a of water at 7 days of intervals for uncontrollable and
battery, an SMS900A Module, an SD Card Module, a expanding pests and insects.
Relay module, a Buck converter, a Soil Moisture Harvesting
Sensor, and an Arduino Mega. A Soil Moisture Sensor The Harvesting was performed on the 64th,
monitors the field's real-time soil moisture condition, 67th, 71st, 75th, 79th, 83rd, 87th, and 91st days after
opening the valve when the reading drops below the transplantation (DAT). Harvesting was performed
allowed 21.25% moisture deficit. It automatically manually by choosing red or light red tomatoes in
shuts down when it reached 27.5% field capacity. It color, indicating that they were ripe.
used a soil moisture and water flow sensor, and Gathered Data
microcontroller to execute the embedded program Growth of Tomato
and show the data thru the LCD screen and SMS The tomato’s height was measured after days
notification. The devices with solar energy storage of transplantation (DAT) with an interval of 7 days
batteries was powered by a solar panel. collected data from the 12 replicate plants.
Growth and Yield Parameters Quantity of Tomato

*DOI: to be provided by the CLSU IJST Staff 2

 The total quantity of tomatoes harvested on at a 5 % significance level. The three (3) treatments are
the 64th, 67th, 71st, 75th, 79th, 83rd, 87th, and 91st days replicated (4) four times. The various treatments
after transplantation (DAT) was counted and recorded. included in this study were as follows:
Produce Weight of Tomato Determination of Water Productivity
It weighed, measured, and recorded the total T1 -Automated Drip Irrigation System with Plastic
weight of harvested tomatoes on the 64th, 67th, 71st, Mulch
75th, 79th, 83rd, 87th, and 91st days after transplantation T2 - Drip Irrigation System with Soil Moisture Sensor
(DAT). and Mango Leaves Mulch
Crop Yield T3 - Drip Irrigation System with Soil Moisture Sensor
Crop yields were estimated on a weight basis and Without Mulch
(kg) for three (3) treatments. Crop yield was weighed Cost of Production
and recorded using a digital weighing scale after A Cost of Production was performed on the
harvesting on the 64th, 67th, 71st, 75th, 79th, 83rd, 87th, Automated Drip Irrigation System's materials, labor,
and 91st days after transplantation (DAT). utilities, and other variables.
Water Productivity Fixed Cost
Water productivity is the ratio of total crop FC=D+IOI (2)
yield and total irrigation water used, and was Interest on Investment
calculated as follows: IOI = IR x [(Initial Cost + Salvage Value)] / 2 (3)
Tomato fresh wieght Variable Cost
Water Productivity = (1)
Wused VC = R&M + S + L + W + F + I/H (4)
where: Total Cost
TFW=tomato fresh weight, kg TC = FC + VC (5)
Wused =irrigation water used, L Production Cost
Water Consumption PC = TC / C (6)
Data for water consumption was gathered Annual Net Income
using a data logger, and was expressed in L. ANI = TC - R (7)
Experimental Design Payback Period
The data was analyzed using a Complete PP = IC / ANI (8)
Randomized Design (CRD) and ANOVA: Single Factor

Table 1. Materials and Equipment.

MATERIALS APPLICATION
Ball valve it served as the gate that may control water flow
Polyethylene pipe it was used to flow the water
Drip tape it served as the distributor of water
End cup it was used to stop water flow at the endpoint
Stacker it was used for aligning the pipe appropriately
Take-off it served as a connector to a drip tape
Saddle clamp it served as an addition of branch lines in the PE
pipe
Filter it was used to prevent the flow of any small
debris
Plastic mulch it protected the crops from direct sunlight and
rainfall

Results and Discussion

Description of the ADIS
ADIS Microcontroller and Sensors Assembly
The actual components of the assembled ADIS were
shown in Figure 2. A solar power system consisting
of solar panels with a charge controller & battery
provides power to an Arduino Mega 2560, a
prototype screw terminal block, a Micro SD Card
Module, an LCD screen, a SIM Module, Electric
solenoid valve, Water flow sensor, and a step-down
buck converter.

Figure 2. ADIS micro-controller and Sensors Assembly

*DOI: to be provided by the CLSU IJST Staff 3

 Based on the information provided in to D13 and D12, which served as dual-purpose pins
Figure 3, it can be observed that the buck converter that enabled real-time communication without
was linked to the GND and VNN pin, which served delay, otherwise known as RX and TX. Meanwhile,
as the primary power supply source. On the other the SD card was attached to D53, D52, D51, and D50,
hand, Figure 4 illustrated that the water flow sensor with its primary function being to save and write
and relay module were connected to the digital pins data. Finally, the soil moisture sensor was linked to
of D5, D4, D3, and D2. These pins detect high and an analog pin of A1, A2, and A3. Finally, the soil
low voltage levels, which corresponded to the ON
and OFF states. In addition, the SIM 900A was wired

Figure 3. Schematic Diagram of ADIS Power Supply Figure 4. Schematic Diagram of ADIS micro-
controller and sensors
Sensor Calibration of Soil Moisture
The three (3) sensors utilized in the study were moisture levels, it calculated a calibration curve.
calibrated earlier than the soil moisture sensor was This could be done using linear regression.
installed in the field. Table 2 showed the formula Additionally, the ADIS micro-controller program
for the calibration curve derived after plotting the used this calibration curve calculation to convert
data using the sensor readings and the sensor readings (analog reading) to soil moisture
corresponding soil levels (gravimetric reading).

Table 2. Calibration Values of Soil Moisture Sensors

CALIBRATION CURVE R²
TREATMENT 1 y = 0.1536x - 71.020 R² = 0.9704
TREATMENT 2 y = 0.1503x + 68.873 R² = 0.9866
TREATMENT 3 y = 0.1509x – 69.747 R² = 0.9792

Power Supply estimation

The ADIS microcontroller and sensors aforementioned battery life would be
were endowed with power via rechargeable lead- approximately 0.26 days or 6.15 hours. Evidently,
acid battery that possessed a capacity of 12 volts the microcontroller was supplied with sufficient
and 20 ampere-hours. Upon conducting thorough power to function as intended.
calculations, it was determined that the

Table 3. Power Supply Computation for ADIS Micro-controller and Sensors

Working Power (W)
Arduino Mega 2
LCD`Keypad Shield 1
SIM9000A 8
Capacitive Soil Moisture Sensor 1
SD Card Logger 1
Solenoid Valve 24
Water Flow Sensor 1
Relay 1
Total Power Consumption 39

Lead Acid Battery 20Ah x 12v 240Wh

Battery life 240Wh/39W 6.15 h or 0.26 days

*DOI: to be provided by the CLSU IJST Staff 4

Automated Drip Irrigation System Program updating and providing the data for water used for
The programming of the micro-controller and each treatment. Data transmission for both
sensor was executed utilizing the C++ language, commands experienced a 5-9-second delay to be
while sketches were created via Arduino's IDE. The able to provide time to initialize the data, and it was
uploaded code facilitated the interaction between stored on an SD card module equipped with real-
the microcontroller, sensors, and other time monitoring capabilities. The irrigation
inputs/output, and regression analysis derived a procedure involved manually operating the pump
formula from calibrating an analog signal into a by initiating its opening and closing. For opening
volumetric soil moisture value. and closing the valve, it took 30 seconds for the
In terms of opening and closing gates, a solenoid solenoid valve to open. When the soil moisture
valve was utilized, which took around 50 seconds to sensor reading reached the 21.25% MAD, the gate
operate when receiving readings from the water was opened.
flow sensor. If the moisture level detected by the Growth and Yield Parameters
soil moisture sensor falls below 21.25% MAD, the Plant Height
valve would open, while if the moisture content The experimental results indicated that the
reaches 27.5%, the valve would close. The Soil utilization of ADIS with plastic mulch and Drip
Moisture Sensor has been programmed to trigger Irrigation Systems with mango leaves mulch, with
the opening and closing of the gate for readings or without mulch, did not yield a significant effect
under 21.25% MAD and over 27.5% FC. The water on the plant height of tomato plants (as presented
flow sensor measures the water in Table 4).
consumption data. It was stored in a data logger The experimental results indicated that
after it was irrigated. A flowchart in Figure 5 the utilization of ADIS with plastic mulch and Drip
illustrates the Automation Scheme utilized for ADIS. Irrigation Systems with mango leaves mulch, with
or without mulch, did not yield a significant effect
on the plant height of tomato plants (as presented
in Table 4). The automated plastic mulch system
produced the highest mean plant height of 52.14
cm, whereas the Drip Irrigation System with mango
leaves and without mulch resulted in the shortest
mean plant heights of 51.20 cm and 47.79 cm,
respectively. Despite these variations, there was no
significant difference among the group means of
plant height observed.
Uncontrolled environments could affect
plant height, particularly in the case of tomato
plants, since high temperatures and low humidity
Figure 5. Flowchart of ADIS could have a negative impact on growth and
development, with temperatures exceeding the
ADIS Performance optimal range for tomatoes leading to heat stress,
Data Transmission reduced photosynthesis, and stunted growth, and
The frequency of transmitting readings from the low humidity increasing the rate of water loss
soil moisture sensor was pre-set to once a day. through transpiration, making the plant more
When it comes to transmitting data related to soil susceptible to dehydration and reduced growth. As
moisture levels, the speed at which this occurs reported by Savvas & Gruda (2019), the soil
varied depending on the distance between the conditions, nutrient availability, climatic conditions,
sensors and the researcher, typically taking and pest management have influenced that there
anywhere from 5 to 9 seconds. was no significant difference between
Regression analysis derived a formula from biodegradable, black plastic, and no mulch
calibrating an analog signal into a volumetric soil treatments in tomato plant height
moisture value, with the optimal voltage range for Fruit Quantity
soil moisture sensors determined to be between The results shown in Table 4
3.3 V and 5 V. Soil Moisture Sensors were installed demonstrated that an Automated Drip Irrigation
at a depth of 11-12 cm since it could reach the root System (ADIS) significantly influences the fruit
depth of the tomato, and SMS notifications were quantity per plants, mainly when used in
utilized for monitoring purposes for the researcher, conjunction with plastic mulch, compared to
with the "STATE" command providing Soil Moisture traditional Drip Irrigation Systems that employed
Sensor readings and "FLOW" mango leaves mulch or no mulch at all. Notably, the
highest value of 4.91 was observed in the ADIS

*DOI: to be provided by the CLSU IJST Staff 5

system that utilized plastic mulch had a significant Fruit Yield
difference regarding fruit quantity per plant, while A significant result was also observed on
the Drip Irrigation Systems with mango leaves the ADIS with plastic mulch and Drip Irrigation
mulch and without mulch had values of 3.58 and System with mango leaves mulch and without
3.05, and there was no significant difference mulch (Table 4) compared to the fruit yield per
between them, respectively. plant. The ADIS with plastic mulch weighed 130.08
The exposure of soil to direct sunlight and g of tomato, significantly different from the Drip
wind could lead to water stress in tomato plants, Irrigation System with mango leaves mulch and
resulting in stunted growth and reduced fruit without mulch, which only weighed 92.13 g and
quantity. Hence, mulching helped conserve soil 91.72 g were not significantly different regarding
moisture and reduce evaporation from the soil fruit yield per plant.
surface, thus mitigating water stress in plants. Without plastic mulch to regulate soil
Plastic mulching has been found to enhance soil temperature, the timing and quality of fruit
moisture content resulting in better growth and development could be challenging to manage,
higher fruit quantity. As revealed by El-Sayed, potentially leading to lower yields and reduced
Shalaby, & Mohamed (2015) using plastic mulch profitability for growers, as observed in the Drip
with Drip Irrigation increased tomato quantity, Irrigation System with mango leaves mulch and
yield, and nutrient assimilation compared to other without mulch. With that, Zhao & NeSmith (2007)
mulches and without. It supported water and found that using plastic mulch treatments
nutrient conservation while reducing soil increased tomato yield by up to 33% compared to
compaction. Therefore, by utilizing real-time non-mulch treatments and other mulch. The plastic
monitoring of soil moisture levels and providing mulch prevented weed development and
water as per the requirement of the plants, along conserved soil moisture, resulting in healthier
with plastic mulch, the ADIS system could enhance plants and higher tomato yield quality. Thus,
the fruit quantity per plant produced by the plants. mulching provides higher fruit yield for a greater
Fruit Weight production.
The ADIS with plastic mulch and Drip Total Yield
Irrigation System with mango leaves mulch had Results showed (Table 4) that the
significant value in the fruit weight compared to the minimum total yield (2.30 kg and 2.56 kg) counted
Drip Irrigation System without mulch. The fruit from the Drip Irrigation System with mango leaves
quantity per plant was 36.84 and 34.70 for plastic mulch and without mulch, and it differed
mulch and Drip Irrigation System with mango leaves statistically in the ADIS with plastic mulch with a
mulch with no significant difference, and 32.12 for maximum tomato yield of 3.12 kg. ADIS showed a
Drip Irrigation System without mulch had significant difference on yield in the Drip Irrigation
significant difference regarding fruit weight per System without mulch. However, there is no
plant (Table 4). significant difference on yield in the drip irrigation
The absence of mulch around plants could system with mango leaves mulch on the ADIS with
cause soil desiccation, leading to reduced fruit plastic mulch and drip irrigation system without
weight. Plants required consistent soil moisture mulch.
throughout the growing period to ensure optimal Mulching was a crucial factor that could
growth. Weed growth could also compete with affect the total fruit yield of the tomato, and using
plants for resources, reducing fruit yield and acting plastic mulch significantly increased soil moisture
as a host for pests and diseases that could harm the compared to bare soil conditions. It also observed
plants. higher yields and larger fruit sizes in plants grown
Indicated that plastic and mango leaves with mulch compared to those produced without it.
could help achieve maximum fruit weight. It was Plastic mulch improved the soil's health and fertility
due to the improvement of soil moisture levels and increasing tomato yield and quality. As revealed by
weed control offered by the mulch. As noted by Gao, Hao, Liang, Zhang, Lu, & Fan (2019), plastic
Chen, Liu, Zhang, Sun, & Wang (2018) using plastic mulch led to a 40 % increase in tomato yield
mulch resulted in a higher average tomato fruit compared to no mulch treatment. The
weight and better uptake of nutrients than without mulch improved soil temperature and moisture,
mulch. It also increased average fruit weight and increasing fruit quality and yield.
enhanced nutrient absorption, especially for
nitrogen and potassium. This outcome could be
further facilitated through proper irrigation
scheduling, which could be achieved by monitoring
soil moisture status in real-time.

*DOI: to be provided by the CLSU IJST Staff 6

 Table 4. Mean comparison of tomato parameters using an F-test at a 5% Significance Level.
VARIABLES TREATMENT
ADIS with plastic mulch DIS with mango leaves DIS without mulch
mulch
Plant Height 52.14 51.30 47.79
Fruit Quantity 4.91ª 3.58ᵇ 3.05ᵇ
Fruit Weight 36.84ª 34.70ª 32.12ᵇ
Fruit Yield 130.08ª 92.13ᵇ 91.72ᵇ
Total Fruit Yield 3.12ª 2.56ªᵇ 2.30ᵇ
*Means with the same letter were not significantly different.

Water consumption (WC) and Water productivity

As shown in Table 5, it was found that both significantly improve WP and reduce WC. The
Water Consumption (WC) and Water Productivity automated system's ability to supply water when
(WP) were significantly impacted by different crops need it most and terminate irrigation on time
factors such as irrigation scheduling and the use of helped minimize unproductive losses, leading to
plastic or mango leaves mulch and without. The healthy and productive crops. Additionally, using
highest WP and lowest WC were observed in the plastic mulching helped reduce water loss,
ADIS system with plastic mulch, where crop WP maintained optimal soil moisture levels, and
reached 0.016 kg/L, and WC was 801.40 L. In controlled weed growth that blocks sunlight,
contrast, increased WC and WP were observed in preventing weeds from germinating and
Drip Irrigation Systems with and without mulch. developing. By reducing vegetation competition,
Specifically, the Drip Irrigation System with mango plants have improved access to soil water and
leaves mulch observed a WP of 0.009 kg/L and WC nutrients, which could increase yield. These
of 1015.60 L, while the Drip Irrigation System highlighted the importance of proper irrigation
without mulch reported a WP of 0.007 kg/L and WC scheduling and mulching techniques for ensuring
of 1345.60 L. efficient water usage and maximizing crop
The results showed that an Automated productivity.
Irrigation System with plastic mulching could
Table 5. Water Consumption (WC) and Water Productivity (WP).
FRESH WEIGHT WC WP
(kg) (L) (kg/L)
ADIS with plastic mulch 12.49 801.40 0.016
DIS with mango leaves mulch 9.16 1015.60 0.009
DIS without 8.81 1345.60 0.007
mulch

Field Emission Rate

Based on the data presented in Table 6, excellent performance and minimal water losses,
the Drip Field Emission Rate is observed to have a resulting in high-efficiency field emission rates,
high-efficiency rate of 92.76%. Furthermore, there effective water usage, and delivering water directly
was a delay in the water flow from the first emitter, to the plant's roots, which can increase crop yield
which took 75 seconds, while the last emitter in the and quality, optimize growth conditions, and
drip tape took 97 seconds for the water to travel reduce water stress.
through. The results indicated that the system has

Table. 6. Field Emission Rate.

MINIMUM, MAXIMUM, AVERAGE, L/h FER, %
L/h L/h
DRIP 1.11 1.25 1.20 92.76

Cost Production of 3,750 kg. The harvested tomatoes were sold at

Potential income PhP 15.00 per kg, generating a Gross Sale of PhP
Table 7 presented the average harvest of two (2) 56,250.00 per growing crop or PhP 112,500.00 per
production cycles where 60 tomato plants were year. Table 3 showed the potential income of
grown for 122 days. Each plant had an average lettuce variety Diamante Max F1
weight gain of 103.84 g, resulting in a total weight

*DOI: to be provided by the CLSU IJST Staff 7

 Crop grown: Tomato
Variety: Diamante Max F1
Growing periods: 122 days
Potential production 62 days
Total area 5 m x 16 m
Number of plants 60
Maturity 62 days
Average yield per plant: 103.84 g
Total yield: 3,750 kg
Selling price per kg: PhP 15.00
Potential Gross Income per crop: PhP 56,250.00
Potential Gross Income per year: PhP 112,500.00
Table 7. The Total Fixed Cost, Total Variable Cost and Total Cost of Operation of the System
ITEMS PER CROP, PhP PER YEAR
A. Fixed Cost, FC
1. Average interest in investment (AII) 922.00 1,844.00
2. Depreciation (D) 3,145.00 6,290.00
Sub-total 4,067.00 8,134.00
B. Variable Cost, P
1. Repair and Maintenance (R&M) 559.00 1118.00
2. Seeds 80.00 160.00
3. Labor 11,185.00 22,370.00
4. Water bill 70.00 140.00
5. Fertilizer 250.00 500.00
6. Insecticide/Herbicide 250.00 500.00
Sub-total 12,394.00 24,788.00
C. Total Costs, P 16,461.00 32,922.00

In Table 7, the Cost of Production was presented as was calculated by dividing the total cost by the total
the sum of fixed and variable costs. The fixed costs weight of the tomato per year, resulting in a unit
included Average Interest on Investment (AII) and price of only PhP 4.39 per kg.
Depreciation (D), amounting to PhP 922.75 and PhP The payback period (PP) was computed as
3,145.50 per cropping. The Total Fixed Cost was PhP the ratio of the investment cost (IC) to the Annual
067.00. Conversely, variable costs included repair Net Income (ANI). The PP represented the years or
and maintenance (R&M), seeds, labor, fertilizers, months needed to recoup the investment. The
insecticide, herbicide, and water bill. The R&M cost, project could recover its initial investment in
covering materials merely 0.35 years.
and labor for replacing the Soil Moisture Sensor The Automated Drip Irrigation System with
within a year, was estimated at PhP 559.00. plastic mulch significantly reduced the need for
Combined with other inputs costs at PhP 11,835.00, manual intervention and surveillance, thereby
the total variable cost is PhP 12,394.00, which eliminating labor costs associated with irrigation.
makes the total operating cost PhP 16,461.00. Farmers could allocate resources to other essential
After deducting the total cost from the tasks while maintaining an efficient irrigation
Gross Income, the Net Income amounted to PhP process. Thus, it would likely reduce irrigation labor
39,789.00 per cropping season or PhP 79,578.00 costs of 20% of the total labor cost and increased
annually. Furthermore, the Gross Margin per productivity. Implementing ADIS with plastic mulch
cropping season was about PhP 43,856.00 or PhP could lead to cost savings and more efficient
87,712.00 annually when the total variable cos was resource allocation on farms, ultimately resulting in
subtracted from the Gross Income. The selling price higher profits.

Conclusion
Based on the objective, the following improved Water Management and reduced
conclusions were drawn: competition for water and nutrients among tomato
1. ADIS with plastic mulch provided plants.
farmers with significant benefits, including real- 2. ADIS with plastic mulch could enhance
time monitoring of soil moisture readings, water tomato yield, increase water productivity, save
schedules, and weed and soil moisture control. This water consumption efficiently and showed ADIS

*DOI: to be provided by the CLSU IJST Staff 8

with plastic mulch has 0.016 kg/L and 801.40 L and moisture levels, potentially leading to lower
DIS with mango leaves mulch (0.009 kg/L and productivity and yield.
1015.60 L) and without mulch (0.007 kg/L and 3. The ADIS with plastic mulch was also
1345.60 L). For weed control, ADIS with plastic determined to be cost-viable for farmers to utilize
mulch had 20 minutes in weeding for the whole since it has 0.35 years’ payback period; however, it
production, DIS with mango leaves mulch and was recommended to utilize the system in farm-
without mulch (1 hour and 8 hours); without mulch scale tomato production to generate more revenue.
with a Drip Irrigation System might not be as 4. The study also showed that the Drip
effective in controlling weeds and maintaining soil Irrigation System at the site had a field emission
rate efficiency of 92.76%.

Acknowledgements
The author expresses heartfelt gratitude to the following who contributed to the study's success and
helped bring the work to fruition: respectively, Engr. John Vincent A. Nate, Engr. Gloria N. Ramos and Dr. Vitalina
U. Malamug, Chair of the Advisor Committee and Members of the Advisory Committee, for the guidance,
suggestions, supervision, advice, support, and recommendations throughout the study.
Dr. Mantou M. Sarong, Director of the Crop and Resources Research and Development Center, for
allowing the conduct of the study within the CRRDC; Engr. Roldan T. Quitos, Mr. Von Kiel Quitos, and Mr. John
Carlo Landayan for their knowledge and guidance in ADIS programming and calibration of the soil moisture
sensor and other system components.
The author's family for advice and support; Mr. Zack Philip A. Aquino and Mr. Christian Aurhel Ponce
for all the encouragement, and the Almighty God, for the blessings, guidance, courage, knowledge, life, strength,
and faith bestowed throughout the undertaking.

References
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