Characterization and Performance of a Multiphase Lignocellulosic-Polymeric Composite Growth Media in an IoT-Automated NFT Hydroponic System

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Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | 02 | Page :
    By

    Suyash Dixit,

  • Kunal Londhe,

  • Ashish Patil,

  • Shravni Kanse,

  • Mahesh Goudar,

  • Pramod Kothmire,

  1. UG Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT Academy of Engineering, Alandi(D), Pune, Maharashtra, India
  2. UG Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT Academy of Engineering, Alandi(D), Pune, Maharashtra, India
  3. UG Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT Academy of Engineering, Alandi(D), Pune, Maharashtra, India
  4. UG Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT Academy of Engineering, Alandi(D), Pune, Maharashtra, India
  5. Professor, Department of Electronics & telecommunication Engineering, MIT Academy of Engineering, Alandi(D), Pune, Maharashtra, India
  6. Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT Academy of Engineering, Alandi(D), Pune, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Hydroponics utilizing the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) entails a type of soilless agriculture involving the delivery of a continuously flowing and thin film of nutrient-filled solution onto the roots of plants. With the move toward sustainable and efficient urban agriculture in the contemporary world and need to produce more effective and resource-efficient solutions, there have been significant efforts aimed at improving these techniques through advanced materials and automation. A consistent weakness in pure NFT technology lies in lack of any form of buffering and nutrient storage when compared to soil, thus making plants vulnerable to changes in the environment or malfunctioning of the systems. In order to solve this problem, the current paper suggests a technique that will entail the creation of a multi-phase lignocellulosic-polymeric composite growth medium composed of LECA, coco-fiber, coco peat, and Perlite, all incorporated into a smart IoT system. The process will be automated using ESP32 microcontroller to regulate the pH and TDS levels. A comparative assessment was done between a plant (Spinacia oleracea) grown using the new material against the one grown using the old method (soil) showing better water stability.

Keywords: NFT Hydroponics, Lignocellulosic-Polymer Composite, Multiphase Growth Media, IoT Automation, Precision Agriculture, Spinacia oleracea, Resource Efficiency, Bio-composite Substrates

How to cite this article:
Suyash Dixit, Kunal Londhe, Ashish Patil, Shravni Kanse, Mahesh Goudar, Pramod Kothmire. Characterization and Performance of a Multiphase Lignocellulosic-Polymeric Composite Growth Media in an IoT-Automated NFT Hydroponic System. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(02):-.
How to cite this URL:
Suyash Dixit, Kunal Londhe, Ashish Patil, Shravni Kanse, Mahesh Goudar, Pramod Kothmire. Characterization and Performance of a Multiphase Lignocellulosic-Polymeric Composite Growth Media in an IoT-Automated NFT Hydroponic System. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=240668


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Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
02
Received 13/04/2026
Accepted 22/04/2026
Published 23/04/2026
Publication Time 10 Days
1

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