Sustainable Crop Performance Model through the iReMix Automated Nutrient Flow System

Abstract

Global food security challenges require nutrient-delivery systems that can improve crop productivity while conserving water and fertiliser resources. This revised conceptual paper presents iReMix, an automated nutrient-flow and gravity-assisted mixing system for fertigation applications. In response to reviewer comments, the manuscript was strengthened by replacing non-agriculture references with recent agriculture-related sources and by clarifying that runoff and leaching reduction are treated as model-supported performance indicators rather than unsupported field claims. The proposed framework integrates nutrient tanks, gravity-based mixing, distribution pipelines, flow regulation, low-cost sensors, and a feedback-driven control unit. It also introduces measurable indicators for future validation, including nutrient use efficiency, water productivity, coefficient of variation for flow uniformity, runoff coefficient, leachate electrical conductivity, and nutrient loss load. Evidence from recent smart-fertigation and drip-fertigation literature shows that automated or sensor-supported fertigation can improve water and nutrient productivity and reduce nutrient losses when monitored appropriately. The expected contribution of iReMix is therefore positioned as a practical, modular, and low-cost pathway for improving fertigation consistency, reducing manual mixing time, and enabling evidence-based nutrient management among small and medium-scale growers. Future work will validate the model through pilot testing, drainage/runoff measurement, sensor calibration, and comparative analysis against conventional manual fertigation.