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Design and Implementation of a Small-Scale Hydroponic Chamber for Sustainable Vegetative Propagation from Cuttings: A Basil ( Ocimum basilicum L.)

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  • Angélica Nohemí Cardona Rodríguez

    (Laboratorio de Invenciones Aplicadas a la Industria, Unidad Académica de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98160, Mexico
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Carlos Alberto Olvera-Olvera

    (Laboratorio de Invenciones Aplicadas a la Industria, Unidad Académica de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98160, Mexico)

  • Santiago Villagrana-Barraza

    (Laboratorio de Invenciones Aplicadas a la Industria, Unidad Académica de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98160, Mexico)

  • Ma. Auxiliadora Araiza-Ezquivel

    (Laboratorio de Invenciones Aplicadas a la Industria, Unidad Académica de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98160, Mexico)

  • Diana I. Ortíz-Esquivel

    (Laboratorio de Invenciones Aplicadas a la Industria, Unidad Académica de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98160, Mexico)

  • Luis Octavio Solís-Sánchez

    (Posgrado en Ingeniería y Tecnología Aplicada, Unidad Académica de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98000, Mexico)

  • Germán Díaz-Flórez

    (Laboratorio de Invenciones Aplicadas a la Industria, Unidad Académica de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98160, Mexico
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

Urban agriculture in space-constrained cities requires compact, reproducible propagation systems. Therefore, the aim of this Technical Note is to design, implement, and functionally validate a low-cost, modular hydroponic chamber (SSHG) for early-stage vegetative propagation. This system couples DHT11-based temperature/RH monitoring with rule-based actuation—irrigation 4×/day and temperature-triggered ventilation—under the control of an Arduino Uno microcontroller; LED lighting was not controlled nor analyzed. Two 15-day trials with basil ( Ocimum basilicum L.) yielded rooting rates of 61.7% (37/60) and 43.3% (26/60) under a deliberate minimal-input configuration without nutrient solutions or rooting hormones. Environmental summaries and spatial survival maps revealed edge-effect patterns and RH variability that inform irrigation layout improvements. The chamber, bill of materials, and protocol are documented to support replication and iteration. Thus, the SSHG provides a transferable baseline for educators and researchers to audit, reproduce, and improve small-footprint, controlled-environment propagation. Beyond its technical feasibility, the SSHG contributes to sustainability by leveraging low-cost, readily available components, enabling decentralized seedling production in space-constrained settings, and operating under a minimal-input configuration. In line with widely reported hydroponic efficiencies (e.g., lower water use relative to soil-based propagation), this open and replicable platform aligns with SDGs 2, 11, 12, and 13.

Suggested Citation

  • Angélica Nohemí Cardona Rodríguez & Carlos Alberto Olvera-Olvera & Santiago Villagrana-Barraza & Ma. Auxiliadora Araiza-Ezquivel & Diana I. Ortíz-Esquivel & Luis Octavio Solís-Sánchez & Germán Díaz-Fl, 2025. "Design and Implementation of a Small-Scale Hydroponic Chamber for Sustainable Vegetative Propagation from Cuttings: A Basil ( Ocimum basilicum L.)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:19:p:8773-:d:1761666
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    References listed on IDEAS

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