Using microcontrollers and sensors to build an inexpensive CO2 control system for growth chambers

Appl Plant Sci. 2020 Oct 14;8(10):e11393. doi: 10.1002/aps3.11393. eCollection 2020 Oct.

Abstract

Premise: A CO2 control system is important for investigating how elevated CO2 affects plant growth. Our automatic CO2 monitoring and control system offers an inexpensive and flexible way to make CO2-enriched environments.

Method and results: Using microcontrollers paired with non-dispersive infrared CO2 sensors, relays, and valves, we developed a low-cost system for monitoring and controlling CO2 levels in growth chambers.

Conclusions: Compared with existing commercially available CO2 control systems, Arduino-based microcontrollers offer affordable access to the data logging of CO2 levels in growth chambers, thereby reducing budget limitations for creating growth conditions with highly controlled CO2 concentrations.

Keywords: Arduino; CO2 concentration; CO2 sensor; growth chamber; microcontrollers; valves.